By Christopher Rails
THE Queen's Birthday Honours list includes the names of at least 20 Catholics ranging from three knighthoods, to a BEM for a lady of 89.
Professor Alan Harris received a knighthood for his services to civil engineering. Professor Harris, who becomes a Knight Bachelor, already holds tht CBE and is a member of the Catholic i nion.
Ile graduated from London I niversity in 1936, served with the Royal Engineers from 19401946, and founded the firm of Harris and Sutherland, makers of pre-stressed concrete in 1955.
Professor ilarris was president of the Institute of Structural Engineers from 1978-9 and is also a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers. He received the Order of Merit of the French Republic in 1976.
Sister Valerie Cook, headmistress of l.a Retraite .High School, Bristol, received the OBE for her long service as a headmistress and as a member of the Clifton diocesan Schools Commission. She was herself educated at La Retraite, and graduated from Bristol University to enter the Congregation of La Retraite as a
novice in 1946.
After service in their schools in London and Salisbury she returned to Bristol as head of history in 1956, becoming headmistress in 1961. She is the school's last headmistress as it Is due to close in 1982.
One of the best known members of the Catholic community to be honoured is Miss Mildred !Nevile, general secretary of the Catholic Institute fur International Relations, who received the MBE for her contribution to development education.
Nlis•, Nevile has worked with CIIR for 22 years and has been an advisor on Third World policy for the European Economic Community. She is a founder member of the Justice and Peace Commission.
Mrs Dorothy Pavey, aged 89, received the BEM, for many nears' voluntary service with the League of Friends at Moorgreen Hospital, Southampton. She still runs a shop at the hospital every Tuesday, and a toiletries stall at the hospital's summer and Christmas fairs.
Mrs Pavey is president of the Senior Citizens' Club at the church of Christ the King, Bitterne.
Other awards see page 8.