Heritage listings chief honoured

Reverend Beach awarded Plymouth's civic centre listed status

The man who is in charge of deciding which UK historic buildings should be awarded listed status has been awarded an honour of his own.

The Reverend Peter Beacham, from Exeter, has received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

He is currently Heritage Protection Director for English Heritage.

He said he was "surprised and humbled" when he returned from a holiday to find the letter bearing news of the OBE on his doormat.

I walk past the palace every day, it will be odd to finally go inside Rev Peter Beacham OBE

Rev Beacham said: "I was very surprised and humbled, you don't expect those sorts of things to happen to you."

He said he was looking forward to collecting his award and would enjoying having a chat with Prince Charles about heritage, if it is him presenting it.

"I live in south London during the week and walk past the palace every day, so it will be odd to finally go inside."

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He added that he felt the MBE was a good recognition of the work of the heritage industry.

One of his more controversial listings decisions involved the awarding of Grade II listed status to Plymouth City Council's 1960s civic centre - a 14-storey office block in the centre of the city.

Kitty Webber, 72, said being awarded an MBE for voluntary work as a hospital driver was "humbling and overwhelming". She said going to Buckingham Palace to collect her award for the role she has performed for 40 years would be the "icing on the cake".

Former thrice mayor of Totnes Judith Westacott was awarded an MBE for services to the community in the South Devon town. She said: "I am absolutely delighted. I feel a bit guilty for getting such an honour for something I really enjoy doing."