Kirkby stalwart ‘stunned’ as he scoops honour from the Queen
Last updated at 14:52, Friday, 13 July 2012
A KIRKBY councillor who dedicated his life to the village for decades has been named in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
Councillor Freddie Wayles, 79, received his MBE for services to the community.
Cllr Wayles was born and raised in the village and, along with his duties as a member of Kirkby Ireleth Parish Council, has acted as a Cub Scout leader.
He is still a Burlington School governor and he served as a churchwarden at St Cuthbert’s Church.
The former mechanical engineer worked for Vickers in Barrow, as well working for the firm in Uganda.
He put his engineering skills into practice in the 1960s when he produced plans for Kirkby Community Centre, which opened in 1969. Cllr Wayles said he did not know who nominated him for the honour.
He said: “I was stunned and amazed to receive a letter from the cabinet office about six weeks ago informing me my name had been approved to be appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
“I’d like to sincerely thank the members of the village who put my name forward for this award.
“I am very humbled by what they have done for me.
“Kirkby truly is a wonderful village to live in with many people giving their time and experience to make life enjoyable for all ages.”
Cllr Wayles helped to create the tennis courts in the village, which opened in 1986, and he still serves on a number of committees in the village.
Margaret, Cllr Wayles’ wife of 52 years, said: “I was very proud and very pleased for him.”
The couple’s two children and seven grandchildren were similarly stunned.
Cllr Wayles said: “My family are absolutely elated and on Saturday the phone didn’t stop ringing.
“We went out at around 4pm and when we came home the answerphone was completely full. We’ve not really celebrated, we did take a bottle of wine up to church to share after the service.
“My family are absolutely elated, it has really came out of the blue.”
He is due to receive his honour within the next six months.
First published at 14:00, Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
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