“Our sixth annual Independent on Sunday Happy List is now being prepared, and
we're seeking nominations. The Happy List is our antidote to all those rich
lists, wealth lists, and celebrity lists, and celebrates 100 people who give
back; those who, without thought of personal gain or recognition, make Britain
a better, more well-adjusted, and happier place.”
I said to my husband that I would nominate him. He just grinned, knowing that I say a lot of
things that I never always do.
Here’s my nomination. I don’t
have his permission to go through with the nomination, so it will merely be a
blog post. Those readers who know Joe
don’t have my permission to use the material.
Joe hates the limelight and I am not about to thrust him into it – and
neither are you!
I would like to
nominate my husband, Joseph Kerr, for the 2013 Independent on Sunday Happy List. Joseph lives in Inverness and works for the
Scottish Crofting Commission. He has
worked with the Commission for a number of years and is well respected in the
crofting community. For a while he was
responsible for grants and development and was known as the “mannie with the
money”. More recently Joseph has provided
legal support for the Crofting Commission and been able to steer the Commission
through changes to crofting laws.
There are many
people in his work place who have been a part of his team at one time or
another. He is a good manager. He is able to bring out the best in
people. At times it seems like he
collects all the waifs and strays in the workplace. Under his leadership they feel valued. Being given good support and training they
flourish and many of them move on to promoted posts within the commission or
elsewhere.
For a number of
years he was the chairperson of his local branch of the PCS. As a union man he is concerned that those in
management positions should respect the the working conditions, pay and
pensions of his members. He is always
available to talk with colleagues who need advice or support.
He is well liked
and respected by just about everyone. He
sees the best in people and accepts people for who they are.
He is a kind and
generous person. Not so long ago he
asked me if a lady from his work could stay overnight one day a week. She was travelling quite a long distance and
with recent road works, she was leaving home very early in the morning and
getting home very late. He thought she
needed a break. Sometimes he asks me if
we can provide some support for other friends.
We have bought more than a few packs of nappies for strapped-for-cash
young mothers. Yes, the initiative
usually comes from him, but as I rub shoulders with him, I am becoming kinder.
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