Queen honours top performers (From Keighley News)

Queen honours top performers

11:20am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in Keighley By Miran Rahman

An athlete, a businessman and a pensions reformer – all from Keighley district – have won recognition in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Danielle Brown, who was born in Steeton, along with Colin Appleyard and Timothy Sands, both from Keighley, have been rewarded for their contributions and services to public life.

Ms Brown is a Paralympic archer and has picked up an MBE. She won a gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, having also won gold at Beijing in 2008.

Though she now lives in Telford, her parents live in Lothersdale. She took up archery more than nine years ago at the age of 15, competing with the Aire Valley Archers club, based in Bingley.

Mr Appleyard, who has grown his Colin Appleyard motorcycle business into a multi-million-pound company over 40 years, was given an MBE for his services to motorcycle sport.

He said: “I’m chuffed – really delighted. I never expected this in a million years.”

Mr Appleyard began his career as an apprentice at motorcycle dealer Allan Jeffries in Shipley, rising to become sales director during the next 19 years.

He and his wife, Peggy, branched out on their own by opening a small motorcycle dealership in Bradford Road, Keighley, an enterprise that has since expanded massively.

His family has been dedicated to motorcycle sport for many years. Mr Appleyard has served on various governing bodies, as well as guiding his son Robin’s successful racing career.

Mr Sands has received a CBE for his services to the reform of the NHS pension scheme. He has been working in Leeds as deputy director of the NHS Pay, Pensions and Employment Services.