IT'S not every Tuesday that one casually drops into Buckingham Palace.

But for Chepstow's deputy mayor Ned Heywood, last week presented exactly that opportunity.

On the 18th March Mr Heywood was presented with an MBE for 'services to the community of Chepstow and the Wye Valley'.

"It was wonderful, a really brilliant piece of organisation," Mr Heywood said.

"My old Peugeot was parked in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, surrounded by Bentleys and Jaguars."

The deputy mayor and blue plaque crafter had a lively chat with the Duke of Cambridge who presented the award.

"The Duke was very nice and very chatty about the Wye and asked about the flooding in Chepstow," said Mr Heywood.

"He obviously knew the area quite well."

On entering the Palace, after significant security checks, Mr Heywood's eye was caught by the impressive collection of artwork in the Queen's Gallery, where he noted several Rembrants amongst the many masterpieces hanging on the walls.

The event didn't even give the prolific Chepstow member butterflies.

"It was so well organised and timed. I was more nervous about getting stuck in traffic."

Mr Heywood, amongst his many roles within the community, is also the chairman of the Chepstow Arts and Community Festival, which he started with his partner Annie in 1988.

The 14th biennial festival this year starts on the 18th of June, running for four jam-packed weeks filled with events for all ages and stages.

The itinerary includes 11 professional theatre productions in the Chepstow Castle, of which four are staged for children.

There will be also be at least six classical music concerts, a national opera streamed live via satellite and a range of lectures, adding up to approximately 60 events.

To follow the program development and for further information go to www.

chepstowfestival.co.uk