A Cuckfield man who led a £135 million project to extend the British Museum, and create state of the art research facilities, has been rewarded with an MBE.

Tony Wilson, of Ledgers Meadow, travelled to Buckingham Palace last month to receive his award from Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by his wife Mandy and sons Eoin, 16 and Ben, 13.

“It was quite surreal,” said Tony. “I have spent so much of my working life driving past the Palace without ever thinking I’d have the opportunity to go inside, and there we were, walking in through the front gates, with tourists taking photos of us wondering who we were!

“It was a great experience and one we will all remember for a very long time.”

Tony recalled how the honour came as a complete surprise. “I remember sitting on the edge of the bed staring at the letter and wondering who was having a joke at my expense!

“I never thought anything like this would come my way.”

The ceremony took place on 11th November -

Remembrance Day. “We travelled to London the day before and went to see the poppies at the Tower of London, which certainly added significance to the day,” said Tony.

Recipients don’t find out until the morning of the ceremony which member of the Royal family will present the honours, so Tony was delighted to hear that he would be meeting the Queen.

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