A CHEPSTOW potter and town councillor was presented with his MBE by the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace.

Ned Heywood, 66, received the award in the New Year’s Honour’s List for his services to the community and was presented with the medal on March 18.

Mr Heywood said: “The ceremony was a wonderful experience. Prince William seemed very nice. We talked about my contribution to the community and he asked me whether Chepstow came out of the recent flooding unscathed.”

He said he shares the award with the hundreds of volunteers he has worked with over the years who helped to make the projects and events possible and in running The Chepstow Drill Hall.

Mr Heywood, who has been throwing and glazing pots, bowls and plaques for over 30 years, has made and placed hundreds of commemorative round blue plaques for listed buildings across England and Wales since 2004 with his colleague Julia Land.

His work with the Chepstow Society includes colourful illustrated pavement near the Bandstand to mark the Round Wales Coastal Path and a blue plaque trails in Usk and Monmouth.

Mr Heywood has made a substantial contribution to the community over the past 30 years, including co-founding the Chepstow Festival in 1988, organising live music afternoons during the summer and helping to raise £200,000 for community projects.