Published at 16:27, Tuesday, 11 December 2012

A MAN who has spent 70 years serving his community is set to receive a top accolade this week.

PALACE DATE: Freddie Wayles, of Kirkby, is due to collect his MBE for services to the community at Buckingham Palace tomorrow

By Will Metcalfe

Freddie Wayles, 80, of Kirkby, is due to receive his MBE tomorrow.

Mr Wayles was named in the Queen’s birthday honours list in recognition of his work in the Kirkby community.

He 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.

Mr Wayles said his work for the community goes back to childhood.

The grandfather said: “The first thing I did for the village was when I was a 10-year-old, I collected newspapers for the war effort.

“I heard on the wireless the government wanted waste newspaper so I got my father to make a truck from my sister’s pram.”

Tomorrow his years of service, which include designing and fundraising for Kirkby Community Centre, will be recognised by a leading Royal in Buckingham Palace.

Mr Wayles said: “I am looking forward to it.

“I don’t know who it will be yet, it will either be Charles or Anne or the Queen – but I doubt it will be the Queen.

“I never thought I would get something like this. It’s all down to the people in the parish who nominated me.”

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