A BEULAH man, who has been at the heart of the Royal Welsh Show for more than 30 years, has been presented with an MBE by the Prince of Wales.

Tom Evans, who celebrates his 77th birthday next week, was presented with a medal for services to Farming Heritage at an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on February 5.

Mr Evans received his MBE from Prince Charles watched by his son Michael, daughter Amanda and daughter-in-law Julie. He was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June.

“It came as a surprise,” he said. “I’ve been very much involved with agricultural organisations for the last 40 years but you never expect to get any awards for it.”

Mr Evans added: “I’m very grateful to those who put in a lot of work to nominate me for this award.”

Mr Evans has been at the heart of his local Young Farmers’ Club and the Royal Welsh Show for over 30 years, teaching generations of future farmers sheep shearing and hedge-laying.

He said that while Prince Charles presented the MBE, they spoke about their joint interest for hedge-laying.

“We’ve met a few time,” Mr Evans said. “He’s a big hedge-laying man!”

Mr Evans is also recognised as a major influence and an inspirational support by all those associated with sheep shearing throughout Wales and the UK.

The Beulah man has commentated on three World Championships and invited to commentate on sheep shearing events around the world as well as being selected as team manager for the Welsh shearing and wool handling team at the World championships in New Zealand in 2012.

The Welsh agricultural community has congratulated Mr Evans on receiving his MBE at Buckingham Palace.

Shearing Sports Wales described Mr Evans as the “voice of shearing for so many years a great mentor and an inspiration to the agricultural sector”.

In a statement, The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said the long-serving shearing commentator is “one of our many loyal supporters”.

Visit gov.uk/honours to see how you could nominate someone for an honour or award.