Cowbridge resident David Williams has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's 2021 New Year Honours List for his work in the arts sector.

Though born and bred in Cardiff, David has lived in Cowbridge since 1963, when he and his wife moved into the house they built here.

David told Nub News it was surreal but he was honoured to have been recognised: "I received an email at the start of December, with a tick box indicating whether you accept or decline," he said.

"I clicked accept. It's fairly old-school, but there's not necessarily anything wrong with that.

"It wasn't hard to keep the secret until now because of lockdown."

David has worked and volunteered for a range of arts and music organisations during his career.

"I got involved in the Friends of Welsh national Opera in the 70s, and I became chairman of the friends for about 20 years," said David.

"Also, in 1970-something I was on the committee for the Vale of Glamorgan Festival, which had just started, and then I became chairman. I was chairman for about 40 years."

During that time, David also served on the Welsh Arts Council for six or seven years, before becoming the director of the Welsh National Opera.

"I think those are some of the major areas where I tried to help the arts, and work for the arts in whatever way one could during that time," said David.

"Live music and performance, as much as recordings and broadcasts are all very well, are very important in life."