Folk culture fan, 95, becomes MBE

Norris Winstone playing for the Kemp's Men Morris dancing group

One of the oldest Morris dancing enthusiasts in England has been appointed MBE in the New Year Honours list for his services to folk culture.

Norris Winstone, 95, took up Morris dancing at school in 1928 and taught himself to play the melodeon picking up tunes by ear.

For 80 years he has campaigned to spread folk music and dance.

He has also taught its techniques, played in groups around East Anglia and kept traditional tunes alive.

Norris lives in Norwich and intends to keep up his work, "as long as my fingers do not stiffen up".

When he first heard he was to get an honour he thought it was a hoax but when he realised it was true he regarded it as a tribute to many of the people he worked with.

He was a founder member of the group Kemp's Men in 1953 and has played for them since then and they have bookings throughout the year.

Their latest performance was on Boxing Day and now they are busy practising for the Spring and Summer programme.

"Folk music comes and goes in waves and it is on an up at the moment," he said.

"I think sometimes people get fed up with electronic music and want to do it for real. That's when they turn to folk music."

Peter Mayne, the squire of Kemp's Men, said: "Norris has a national as well as local importance, keeping the folk traditions alive."

Mr Winstone's wife Edna came up with the name Kemp's Men which is in tribute to Will Kemp, a friend of William Shakespeare, who danced from London to Norwich in 1599.

Other recipients from Norfolk include:

KNIGHTS BACHELOR

• Professor David Nicholas Cannadine. Formerly Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Professor, Institute of Historical Research, University of London. For services to scholarship. (Reepham)

ROYAL VICTORIAN MEDAL

• Andrew Paul Godfrey. Fruit farm worker, Sandringham Estate.

• Adrian Osborne. Electrician, Sandringham Estate.

OBE

• Brig Peter Neil Ralli Stewart-Richardson, MBE. For services to humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and to the Army Benevolent Fund in Norfolk. (Fakenham)

MBE

• Jennifer Ann Fox. For services to the administration of science in Norwich.

• Terence Kivlin. For services to skills and to the community in King's Lynn.

• Michael Douglas Snowling. For services to children and young people in Norfolk.

QUEEN'S POLICE MEDAL

• Ian Andrew McPherson. Chief Constable, Norfolk Constabulary.