A FORMER journalist, broadcaster and reporter appointed OBE has been honoured by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

Michael McEvoy, of Prestatyn, whose career as a journalist, television and radio broadcaster spanning seven decades made him a familiar figure across Wales, was elevated from a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) to an Officer of the Order (OBE), both for services to North Wales in numerous public and charitable roles.

Watched by wife Barbara, son Jonathan and daughter Rebecca, Mr McEvoy was one of the first recipients of an honour from Charles III since he acceded to the throne on the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.

"It was a wonderful privilege to be invested by the new King," said Mr McEvoy.

"It added to the joy of having the three most important people in my life standing just a feet away during the ceremony to share this unexpected highlight in all my 88 years.

RELATED STORIES

"Only our adored 18-month old grandchild Levi was missing, but he was excused on the grounds of being temporarily under age."

Mr McEvoy’s latest meeting with the King, who also presented him his MBE at Buckingham Palace in 2009, brought him full circle for he reported on Charles’s investiture as Prince of Wales, then aged 20, at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.

Starting his career as a 10s-a-week junior trainee journalist with the Prestatyn-based North Wales Press Agency, which Mr McEvoy went on to own, he contributed widespread news and sports coverage seven days a week to newspapers spanning Anglesey to Wrexham in addition to national dailies and broadcasting media, frequently doubling up with presenting and reporting appearances, including several appearances on News at Ten.

The member and chairman of the trustees at the charity-registered Dolanog Care Home in Rhyl was appointed by BBC Wales as editor of a new VHF Saturday night sports programme for North and Mid-Wales, later turning down invitations to join the Sportsnight and Grandstand programmes, preferring to remain on home territory.

Among these compelling counter-attractions was his role as a member of St Thomas's church choir in Rhyl, which has endured for 76 years, man and boy, earning him the Archbishop of Wales award, presented to him by the Archbishop himself for outstanding service to church music at a ceremony at Bangor Cathedral. He also played cricket for Rhyl and Prestatyn.

His late sister, Audrey, worked for the Journal as one of the first female journalists in North Wales.

In addition to his professional work in journalism, Mr McEvoy was a founder senior chairman of the Welsh Government’s NHS complaints panel, senior chairman of the North Wales Valuation Tribunal, vice-chairman of the Welsh Consumer Council, vice-chairman of Rhyl High School governors and chairman of Rhyl Leisure Centre.

He served as long-time chairman of the planning committee on Rhuddlan Borough Council, representing Rhyl South East ward for 22 years.

In the arts, he was founder chairman of Rhyl’s New Pavilion Theatre and of the Borough Arts Festival, and served on the executive committee of the North Wales Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral and on the North Wales Arts Association.

Elected the youngest chairman of West Flint Conservative Association, he twice declined invitations to stand as the Party’s parliamentary candidate in a seat they consistently held.

He served as an officer of Rhyl Rotary Club for 43 years and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship, the highest honour world-wide Rotary can bestow, for outstanding service.

Mr McEvoy has also sung in St Thomas’s Church Choir in Rhyl for nearly 80 years.