TWO West Devon residents were among those named in the Queen?s 80th Birthday Honours List last weekend. Children?s author Michael Morpurgo has been awarded an OBE in recognition of his services to literature. ?I know that it must have been some of my readers who recommended me for this huge honour,? Michael said, ?and that?s what pleases me most because the books have meant so much to so many children. I?m looking forward, like Alice, to going to the palace for cake and a gong!? Michael will be getting a look around Buckingham Palace this Sunday (June 25) ahead of the investiture in the autumn. He is one of the authors who will be reading at the palace to 3,000 children who have been invited to a special children?s party to mark the Queen?s birthday. Michael who lives at Iddesleigh, also founded the Farms for City Children scheme, which gives inner-city children a chance to experience life on a working farm. West Devon chef Michael Caines also received an MBE for services to the hospitality industry. Michael is one of Britain?s highest profile chefs, who made his name as chef at Gidleigh Park, Chagford. ?It is a great honour to be awarded this, I feel very humbled and it is lovely to be recognised for my contribution to the industry,? he said.
