I got a phone call two weeks ago (on my birthday!) telling me I’d been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire). The Cabinet Office had apparently written to me but I didn’t receive the letter. I was in a local park and so shocked that I left my paying-in book and three cheques on the bench. Thankfully someone handed it all in to my local bank within the hour. I was told to keep it quiet until today.
My MBE is awarded for ‘Services to….. Literature’, which is the terminology they use for all art forms. The Honours Committee is anonymous so I’m itching to know who is on it and to thank them, but I guess I never will. I am absolutely thrilled to receive this honour and I am still so shocked that I should have been considered and passed.
Apparently I will at some point go to the palace and collect it from Her Maj. And I don’t think jeans and trainers will do on that occassion.
For those of you unfamiliar with the British honours system: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBE
As for the ‘Empire’ bit, Britain doesn’t have an empire any longer….
32 responses so far ↓
Gail Renard // June 13, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Hoorah and well deserved, Bernie! Does this mean that your blog is now by Royal Appointment?
Geoffrey Philp // June 13, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Congratulations, Bernardine!
bevaristo // June 13, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Thank you both. Yeh, it means me and Her Maj are tight, man, tight.
Republican? Who, me?
Karen McCarthy // June 13, 2009 at 9:11 pm
You deserve it! Well done. I’m delighted and excited (that you have been knighted). Sorry, couldn’t resist the rhyme. Tell me when you’re getting your hair done and we’ll meet for a pre-honours drink
Karen McCarthy // June 13, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Ooh and I see you will be hobnobbing with Lewis Hamilton…(as well as HM)
bevaristo // June 14, 2009 at 9:50 am
Lewis too? Oh, but he’s such an underachiever!
bevaristo // June 14, 2009 at 9:51 am
Dame Bernardine Evaristo of Suburbia!
Michelle Awuku-Tatum // June 14, 2009 at 11:23 am
Amazing Bernadine, congratulations! Can’t wait to hear about the ceremony.
Barbara S // June 14, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Wow, B, Congratulations to you, I hope you’ve got over the shock now. And fair play to the honest folk that handed in your book & cheques too. Luck makes it’s own generosity sometimes
Bookahoilcblog // June 14, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Congratulations on this…
Uche Peter Umez // June 15, 2009 at 8:31 am
Congratulations, thought i missed seeing you when you visited Nigeria.
bevaristo // June 15, 2009 at 10:10 am
Sort of. I’m still pinching myself.
bevaristo // June 15, 2009 at 10:11 am
Are you a writer?
bevaristo // June 15, 2009 at 10:11 am
Thank-ee kindly.
bevaristo // June 15, 2009 at 10:12 am
Yes, must post a photo of me and Her Maj. I guess they have ‘court’ photographers present.
Ojoma // June 15, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Congratulations from all of us at British Council Nigeria!!!!
yblake // June 16, 2009 at 10:33 am
Maybe she could read Blonde Roots to the nation, instead of the Queen’s speech!
Congratulations, B.
P.s. my little chairs book is in the post.
Lara // June 16, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I like that: My Bloody Effort. The M might be at the bottom of the hierarchy, but it has the most integrity.
Simon // June 16, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I knew you were special Bernardine, look:
https://mw.brookes.ac.uk/display/teachingnews/Writing+Fellows+bring+creativity+into+the+curriculum
bevaristo // June 16, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Thank you, British Council, Nigeria! I remember you lovely people well!
bevaristo // June 16, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Now, there’s an idea!
bevaristo // June 16, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Well, yes, My Bloody Effort for decades. I agree with that. But I rather think ‘Dame’ has the most integrity….
bevaristo // June 16, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Yay! Rock on Oxford Brookes Creative Writing MA!
bevaristo // June 16, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Oh, I think I effed up with my comments here. They are supposed to appear underneath the comments left by others.
Crafty Green Poet // July 6, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Congratulations!
I just popped by to say how much I have enjoyed your series in Mslexia and it’s a shame that it’s come to an end. I particularly enjoyed your article in the current issue, it was the first thing I read! Excellent advice… thanks
PZL-104 Wilga » Blog Archive » List of British gallantry awards for the War in Afghanistan // July 7, 2009 at 8:11 pm
[...] MBE: Queen's Birthday Honour's List 2009: « Bernardine Evaristo's Blog [...]
bevaristo // July 9, 2009 at 8:39 am
You’re welcome! And thanks for the feedback.
Sharon // July 12, 2009 at 6:42 am
Hi Bernadine!
We met last night at John’s 60th… just wanted to add my congratulations to the list!
bevaristo // July 12, 2009 at 8:29 am
Hi Sharon, Yes we did! Thanks very much. Cheers!
Dee Jarrett // September 26, 2009 at 10:22 am
Wow, only just discovered your MBE news during my morning’s google – many, many congrats. Well deserved.
bevaristo // September 27, 2009 at 5:48 am
Hi Delia,
Thanks! It was a lovely surprise last June. I got to get it from Her Maj this October!
Jonis Bucknor // October 11, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Congratulations!
I am as elated as you are!
Hard work pays off well.