Published: March 2, 2008
Prince Charles hands MBE award to Burnham-On-Sea pensioner

Burnham-On-Sea pensioner Arthur Gilbert proudly showed off his MBE award on Saturday (March 1st), just a few hours after Prince Charles presented it to him during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Burnham-On-Sea.com reported last December how the 86-year-old Berrow Road resident had been named in the Queen's New Year Honours after being formally recognised for his work to charitable services.

Arthur is well-known for taking part in Burnham's annual Triathlons, which have helped him raise thousands of pounds for charity over the last 17 years.

He travelled to London last week with sons David and Peter and daughter Natalie for Thursday's presentation at Buckingham Palace.

Dressed in formal attire of a top hat and tails, he was handed his MBE by Prince Charles.

Arthur told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The Prince was very interested to hear about my running and asked how my ticker is!"

"I told him it is fine, he congratulated me and then he clipped the medal to my lapel. It was a very special moment."

After the ceremony, Arthur 'rubbed shoulders' with British actress Julie Walters, who was receiving an CBE during the same ceremony.

"I saw her briefly in the crowd. It was wonderful to be there at the same time," he said.

Arthur, pictured right taking part in the 2006 Burnham Triathlon, first got into sport in the 1970s when he began cycling to work each day between Burnham and Weston.

"It got me very fit and was a good base for my triathlons, which I first started in 1989 when I was 68."

"The triathlons have been an excellent vehicle for raising money for charity. I initially raised cash for the British Heart Foundation and when a great personal friend died of cancer, I ran several triathlons in aid of the Imperial Cancer Research in his memory."

"I've kept on running triathlons for charity - my most recent one was in 2006 - and have been raising money for Musgrove Hospital since 2001."

He is already in training to compete in this year's 2008 Burnham Triathlon.

Looking back at Thursday's London presentation, he said: "It was quite a day. Very memorable."