 The cemetery recently won a �4.8m restoration grant |
A man who dedicated 20 years of his life to protecting an historic cemetery is to receive an MBE from the Queen. Richard Smith is being honoured for his work to save the Arnos Vale burial ground from developers.
"I am very much looking forward to meeting the Queen," he said. "After so many years' hard work, this is going to be a very proud moment for me."
The cemetery, which featured in the BBC's Restoration series, is home to a host of listed monuments.
"Great honour"
In December last year it was awarded a �4.8m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help secure its future, but local campaigners are still working to raise the �500,000 they need to access the lottery cash.
Mr Smith, who will attend the ceremony with his wife Joyce, added: "This is a great honour, not just for me but for all the people who have campaigned on behalf of Arnos Vale."
The 45-acre cemetery was privately owned for many years, and was left neglected and in disrepair.
Its owners sparked controversy five years ago when they tried to sell the land for redevelopment, but after a a campaign by local residents it was bought by the city council under a Compulsory Purchase Order.
It is now leased by a charitable trust, headed by Mr Smith, which hopes to restore many of the listed buildings and memorials on the site, and run part of it as a nature and wildlife reserve.
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