AN INSPIRATIONAL former teacher and governor has returned to Ashton Sixth Form College to celebrate receiving her MBE.
Christine Lyness, from Mossley, was awarded the honour in this year’s New Year list for her outstanding commitment to education.
She officially received the honour recently from King Charles at a formal investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Christine was welcomed back to Ashton Sixth Form – the place where she started and finished her teaching career.
She was joined by the college’s principal Lisa Richards, Stamford Park Trust CEO Anton McGrath and Mossley town councillor Hamza Aslam, a former student at the college who played a key role in the nomination by writing a supporting statement.
The royal recognition honours her contributions to education and the Tameside community for over five decades.
She began her teaching career at Ashton Grammar School in 1972 and became Deputy Principal, overseeing the expansion of the curriculum from 18 to over 60 subjects as she increased student enrolment and access to further education.
After retiring in 2007, Christine became Ashton Sixth Form College’s longest-serving governor up until September 2024. She also served as a governor at Buckton Vale Primary School, Mossley Hollins High School and Micklehurst All Saints CE Primary School, before becoming a founding member and trustee of the Stamford Park Trust.
Christine is also active in the Mossley community, serving as the town’s Mayor and supporting organisations such as Friends of Mossley Park, Emmaus Mossley, Mossley Fairtrade Committee and Mossley Town Team.
Lisa, Ashton Sixth Form principal, said Christine’s MBE is “so richly deserved” for “positively impacting the lives of thousands of students through her drive, care and determination to make a real difference”.