Arts world on Honours List
THE New Year’s Day Honours List has showered accolades on a number of Camden-based figures noted for their contribution to the arts, medicine, charity and broadcasting.
Dr Ralph Kohn has been awarded a knighthood for his services to science, music and charity. Dr Kohn, who lives in Hampstead, is a leading pharmacist. Away from medicine, he is a baritone singer, and has been closely involved with the Wigmore Hall venue in the West End.
Others in the arts world have also been noted, including Braham Murray, the artistic director and founder of the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, who has been given a OBE. He also lives in Hampstead.
Highgate-based artist Rosa Branson, who has been awarded an MBE, is renowned not only for her portraits but her charity work. Examples of her art hang in the Houses of Parliament, and the Coram Foundation offices in King’s Cross.
She has painted many large pictures and then donated them to charities – other beneficiaries include the Iran Liberty Association and the Tate.
A nun who has helped hundreds of prostitutes in King’s Cross get their lives back on track has been awarded an MBE. Sister Lynda Dearlove, 51, founded the charity women@thewell in Birkenhead Street, King’s Cross, in 2007.
Catherine Graham-Harrison, who lives in Kentish Town, has been awarded an OBE for her services to heritage. Among those organisations who have benefited from her advice are Camden Council, the V&A, the Arts Council and the Tate Modern.
Her Kentish Town neighbour Natalie Ceeney receives a CBE. She is the chief executive of the National Archive.
Theatre director Nicholas Hytner has been honoured with a knighthood for his services to drama. Based in Camden Town, the director of the National Theatre was appointed in 2003 and was at the helm when the theatre introduced the highly acclaimed £10 ticket deal, which made the theatre more accessible to people on lower incomes.
DAN CARRIER