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Peter Haycraft & Stacy R. Mather make Queen’s New Year's Honours List

- Peter Haycraft OBE & Stacy Roger Mather MBE now hold distinguished awards
Roadtown Wholesale Trading (RTW) Founder Shareholder and Director, Mr Peter Haycraft (left) was honoured for for services to the British Virgin Islands, and Director of Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), Mr Stacy Roger Mather aka 'Buddah' (right), was honoured for services to the community and youth in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
YEP has a mission to inspire young people to pursue learning experiences that will help them become socially responsible friends, neighbours and citizens. Photo: VINO/File
YEP has a mission to inspire young people to pursue learning experiences that will help them become socially responsible friends, neighbours and citizens. Photo: VINO/File
 Benefactor of the Enis Adams Primary School, Mr Peter Haycraft, right, is presented with a plaque of gratitude from the Government of the Virgin Islands by Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: VINO/File
Benefactor of the Enis Adams Primary School, Mr Peter Haycraft, right, is presented with a plaque of gratitude from the Government of the Virgin Islands by Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: VINO/File
LONDON, United Kingdom - A businessman and a youth empowerment director from the Virgin Islands (VI) have made the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II 2020 Honour's List in recognition of outstanding achievements in the Territory.

They are; Roadtown Wholesale Trading (RTW) Founder, Shareholder and Director, Mr Peter Haycraft for services to the [British] Virgin Islands, and Director of Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), Mr Stacy Roger Mather aka 'Buddah', for services to the community and youth in the territory. 

Peter Haycraf, OBE

Mr Haycraft, who has been involved in a number of community projects in the Territory was awarded the Order of the British Empire, OBE, given in honour for making a great impact in his line of work.

Originating from Worthing, a coastal town in West Sussex, England, Mr Haycraft moved to the Virgin Islands in 1961 with his wife Penny Haycraft. They worked on several other ideas such as a gas station, a car dealership, and an inter-island passenger/cargo service, but eventually settled on the project that would become Roadtown Wholesale Trading Ltd.

Over the years, the Haycrafts has contributed greatly to the development of the territory. More recently, Mr Haycraft pledged some $1M towards the rebuilding of the Hurricane destroyed the Enis Adams Primary School building at Meyers Estate on Tortola, which was recently re-opened. 

In keeping with his word that “financing is guaranteed, right through to the last brick, no matter what it costs,” he injected another $1M to see the steel-framed, hurricane-resistant 2-storey building to completion.

Mr Haycraft, who is also heavily involved in sailing and VI cricket had previously disclosed that he chose to help rebuild the Enis Adams Primary School because his wife, many years ago read to the students there and loved the view from the classroom in which she was reading from.

Stacy Roger Mather, MBE

The second recipient, Mr Mather, received the Member of the Order of the British Empire Honour, the third highest-ranking award, behind Commander of the Order of the British Empire, CBE which is first and then OBE.

Mr Mather is the Director of YEP, a privately funded youth centre in the VI that opened in May 2007 as a safe haven that provides opportunities and activities for over 700 young people in the territory.

The organisation has a mission to inspire young people to pursue learning experiences that will help them become socially responsible friends, neighbours and citizens.

It also has a mandate to provide a safe environment allow participants to explore and pursue their interests, foster meaningful relationships between youth and adults, cultivate our members’ civic responsibility and pride and promote optimism and opportunity among youth. 

Since its establishment as an organisation in 2006, YEP has provided programming and support to over 3,000 local youths and hosts yearly summer programmes for local youth, providing about 150 young persons with 10-weeks of free educational and engaging activities.

Who gets Honoured?

According to sources, the decision about who gets an honour is made by special committees, with the process beginning with nominations from the public. Those are then siphoned down by the committees and reviewed by the UK Prime Minister before the various honours are bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II or senior royals.

Along with the Birthday honours, the New Year’s Honours list is the most significant announcement of civilian and military gallantry awards.

The system acknowledges the achievements made by ordinary people as well as celebrities and public figures who have made significant contributions to public life or commitments to serving and helping the UK.

Typically, the nominees will have improved the lives of others or will be outstanding in what they do in some way. 

32 Responses to “Peter Haycraft & Stacy R. Mather make Queen’s New Year's Honours List”

  • ccc (29/12/2019, 10:03) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow this is kool
  • my 2 cents (29/12/2019, 10:36) Like (7) Dislike (61) Reply
    It has too much people getting these things now the value has been depleted
  • eyes (29/12/2019, 10:47) Like (60) Dislike (0) Reply
    These two individuals well deserved this award , Mr Heycraft I thank you for your contribution and Mr Mather you also contributed and have played a very important role in the lives of the young ones, I see you every day always with a smile on your face dealing with the kids . I salute you both.
  • i wanna know (29/12/2019, 11:52) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
    What about those who deals with the addicted, handicapped, differently able and seniors that every one else discriminates against???????????????????????????????????
    • FEO GOMEZ (29/12/2019, 14:05) Like (6) Dislike (36) Reply
      What is their complexion
      • WHAT!!! (29/12/2019, 16:19) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
        I believe in free speech but some idiots just should not be allowed to post their bulls***.
      • fool (30/12/2019, 11:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        How many other people of any complexion do you know that have donated millions of dollars out of his own pocket towards education ?
    • @iwannaknow (30/12/2019, 11:28) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      As the article says, nominations are made by the public. If you know people you think should be recognised, inquire about the process and go ahead and nominate them.
  • ALSO (29/12/2019, 11:54) Like (8) Dislike (17) Reply
    And what about those who removes the garbage and deals with the sewage that no one else wanna touch?????????????????
  • myron (29/12/2019, 12:05) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    I want one too
  • Mark Hooper (29/12/2019, 12:24) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations to both men, very well deserved.
  • Jaigon (29/12/2019, 15:53) Like (20) Dislike (22) Reply
    This guy Mather might be doing a very good job at YEP but personally his attitude “SUCKS”.
  • Interested (29/12/2019, 16:03) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Both well deserved.Congratulations to them
  • yard fowl (29/12/2019, 20:22) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    What about the crack heads who hit the pipe every day but first on the job EH EH.
  • musa (29/12/2019, 20:49) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations guys
  • VIslander (30/12/2019, 01:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well Deserved...kudos my guys
  • yess (30/12/2019, 08:11) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    YESSSS Mr. Mather you deserve it.
  • Hmmm (30/12/2019, 08:46) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Jaigon - you on every news article daily with your stench and valueless contributions. Look for me since you need a attitude adjustment. Small minds like your are amazed by small ideas.
    • Jaigon (30/12/2019, 09:24) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Thanks for the kind reminder Hodgie, seems like you are in every news article daily as well to see me. Every man is entitled to his own opinion, just like you are entitled to yours here. For you information, I had personal dealings with Mr. Mather and that’s why am bold enough to make my comments. On our daily encounter with different people, we analyze them differently. What you see may not be the same thing I see. Happy New Year to you when it comes. Continue to look for me on every news article.
      • Hmmm (30/12/2019, 10:59) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
        Oh lawd...same thing I said. Jaigon no one cars about your daily personal feelings. Say congrats and keep it there. I’ve had personal dealings with plebs like you daily and I don’t troll every damn news article to let the public know. Again a valueless contribution. Do you need a fulfilling employment opportunity? If so holla @ Labour to see if your time can be used more wisely.
        • Jaigon (30/12/2019, 14:07) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
          @Hodgie, please read and understand, I said personal dealings, not feelings. For your information I am gainfully employed and also have my own business so no need to call Labour for anything. You don’t troll but here you are jock
  • Not real news (30/12/2019, 10:43) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Who cares
  • Feel n Good. (30/12/2019, 12:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This humble hard working young man is very deserving of the award... He has made such a difference... As for Haycraft he was long over due.
  • tola (30/12/2019, 16:15) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Good but his attitude not nice
    • Jaigon (30/12/2019, 18:16) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      Thank you tola, someone actually agree with me. The boy have a real nasty attitude
      • Hmmm (30/12/2019, 22:17) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        Yow @ Jaigon get off the man’s nut sacked nuh! Geez seems like your ‘business’ isn’t doing all that well you have plenty time on your hands trolling this dude...lol...singleton or is it simpleton?
        • Confused. (31/12/2019, 11:10) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
          But Hodgie, you're on Jaigon nuts also. Hypocrite??.. SMH..
          • Jaigon (31/12/2019, 13:34) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply

            @ Confused, leave the j@@k@$$ alone let it bray. Just don’t understand why some people feel their opinion matters but others own are not.

  • PIPE DREAM (30/12/2019, 20:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations Peter yours is a true to life rags to riches story. As a small boy I would watch from the bay side as The M\V Youth of Tortola and The M\V Lady C arrived from and departed for St. Thomas. Shall we go down memory lane. Most people on here are totally clueless. Lets just say for he is a jolly good fellow....and this we can't deny. Congratulations Ole Boy. There is some history that needs to be documented.
  • Sandra (30/12/2019, 22:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    My Cousin Stacy I see all those ass beating I gave to you when you was a little boy is paying off. I am proud of you cuz, continue doing phenomenal work. Love you


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