Windsor music teacher 'very grateful' for MBE in King's Birthday Honours

A Windsor music teacher said he is ‘very grateful’ to have been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

James Manwaring, a music director for the Windsor Learning Partnership, based at The Windsor Boys’ School, has been awarded the honour for services to education.

He is among several professionals from across the area recognised in the list, published on Friday, June 13.

Mr Manwaring has been involved with The Windsor Boys’ School for more than 20 years, having been a former pupil and later trained at the school.

While he is mainly based at the school in Maidenhead Road, his role with the Windsor Learning Partnership also sees him working across five other schools across the area.

Mr Manwaring’s role involves teaching curriculum music mainly in secondary schools.

Across the schools, he also runs extracurricular music activities, leads choir ensembles and organises events, concerts and trips.

Outside of his role, Mr Manwaring has been running the Glee Club UK’s Windsor choir for almost 15 years.

Mr Manwaring played a key role in helping to organise celebrations across schools in the town to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

He aided in devising a song called The Long Walk, written by Emily Barden, which was performed by 300 school pupils on The Long Walk.

Mr Manwaring served as a committee member for the celebrations.

He is also the president of the Music Teachers’ Association and is involved with various other organisations and charities, including as a trustee of the Friends of Windsor Music.

Mr Manwaring said his mission is to make sure that across the area ‘every child has access to opportunities to learn instruments, be part of something, do extraordinary things’.

Discussing being awarded an MBE, he said: “I was shocked and very grateful and pleased.

“I think it’s good for education in general to have people recognised and represent all my students and all the hard work of so many people over the year that have contributed to that.”

In November last year, Mr Manwaring became the first recipient of The Prince Philip Trust Fund Award.

He added: “It’s amazing really to have all the hard work recognised.

“I share it with everyone who has been part of that journey really, in making music successful and in supporting me.

“It’s certainly been a humbling experience this year to be recognised for what I’ve done.”

Also featured on the list is Dr Karen Henderson, a director of research and innovation at the University of Reading from Windsor, has also been recognised with an MBE for services to higher education.

The Windsor resident played a pivotal role in developing a new Higher Education Technician Apprenticeship Standard as part of a Trailblazer Group, increasing the number and diversity of technical apprenticeships.

Dr Henderson said: "I am delighted and amazed at receiving this award. I owe this honour to all of my colleagues in technical services who have worked with me and spurred me on over the years.”

Elsewhere, Sharief Gaafar, a senior solution architect at Siemens Mobility Ltd, has been awarded an MBE for services to innovation in transport and to inclusion and diversity.

Dr Helen Jane Read of Beaconsfield, a City Corporation conservation officer who works at Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common, has also been awarded an MBE for services to conservation and arboriculture.

She has pioneered the conservation practices of ancient and veteran trees and wood pasture management.

Dr Read said: “I am delighted to be honoured in this way.”

Rob Szewczyk, an award-winning head chef at Cumberland Lodge was awarded an MVO (Member of the Royal Victorian Order).

Mr Szewczyk celebrated his 40th anniversary working for the education charity in Windsor Great Park earlier this year.

During his time in the role, he has been responsible for more than 2.5million meals, cooking for everybody from university students, to trainee doctors, members of the Royal Family, Prime Ministers and global leaders.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Mr Szewczyk and the kitchen team worked with the Crown Estate to prepare hundreds of takeaway meals for vulnerable and elderly residents.