New Year honours: Street cleaner Stephen’s reward ‘for going the extra mile’

A road sweeper from Co Antrim said he thinks it is his determination to always go the extra mile which has led to him being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM).
By Jonathan McCambridge
Published 29th Dec 2022, 22:30 BST
Updated 30th Dec 2022, 19:09 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Stephen Burns, 56, has been cleaning up the streets of Portglenone for two decades and has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Mr Burns, who works for Mid and East Antrim Council, said he originally thought it was a wind up when he was told about the honour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He told PA: “I don’t know anything about how these things work. I just go and do my work every day.

Stephen Burns, road sweeper for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Portglenone, Co Antrim, pictured in his work shed in Portglenone.Stephen Burns, road sweeper for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Portglenone, Co Antrim, pictured in his work shed in Portglenone.
Stephen Burns, road sweeper for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Portglenone, Co Antrim, pictured in his work shed in Portglenone.

“About a month ago, a fellow rang me around lunchtime. He told me about this award and I thought he was pulling my leg.

“I told him I would mention it to some other people and he said to me I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. I thought that sounded a bit suspicious.

“He told me there was a letter to come about it. They couldn’t email it to me because I don’t have an email address.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“So, I phoned my boss and he told me that it was real and then the letter eventually came.”

He added: “I do the main street in Portglenone, all the roads, in around the housing estates. I clean it all up.

“You earn your money at this time of the year when it is cold, but I always thank the Lord every morning that I have my health and I love this kind of work.

“I’ve got to know lots of people through my work. There are people waving at me all the time and tooting their horn and sometimes I don’t know who they are at all.

“I suppose I’m in the public eye all the time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The job has not changed that much and that is the way I like it.

“I would do a lot of cleaning up, lifting litter, clearing away the weeds, I do all the wee things that maybe other people wouldn’t do. I would always try to go the extra mile. I always want to do a good day’s work.”

Mr Burns said that despite his honour, he still intends to keep cleaning the streets of Portglenone.

“I’ve no plans to retire. I don’t want to quit, I couldn’t afford to even if I wanted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’ve a nice day out at the palace to look forward to, I’m not sure I’ll be able to bring my brush with me. It is nice that the working man is recognised.

“I put a lot of effort into this street, I’ve taken a lot out of myself doing it. Maybe that’s why I’ve got this award.”

Related topics:Mid and East Antrim Council