AN Aberdyfi outdoors enthusiast and local personality has been recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours List.

Dugald Cameron, who worked tirelessly at the Aberdovey Outward Bound Centre for more than three and a half decades, has been awarded a silver Royal Victorian Medal for his long service to his community.

A modest Mr Cameron, 64, retired from the outdoor activity centre last August. He had been with the organisation for more than 37 years, half of the time the Outward Bound Trust has been operational.

The Scot, who moved to the area in 1978 and never left, has also worked with local mountain rescue teams, the lifeboat committee as well as HM Coastguard.

Mr Cameron said he was “amazed” to receive the medal.

Mr Cameron added: “I found out six weeks ago that I was on the honours list,” he told the Cambrian News.

“It was a complete surprise to be frank, it’s a terrific accomplishment that I had no inkling about.

“I’ve always done the best I can and there’s always a degree of pride when someone else recognises that. I’ve never had anything on this scale though.

“I don’t know who will give me my medal or when the presentation takes place - my main concern is just getting to London right now!

“I know Princess Anne has handed out the award on previous occasions but the Duke of Edinburgh is a patron of the Outward Bound Trust, so who knows?”

Mr Cameron spoke of his work over the last few decades.

“I was an instructor when I first came down in 1978 and became a storeman several years later,” he said.

“Thousands and thousands of youngsters have come through the doors in that time.

“We like to think we introduce them to outside world. A lot of the customers come from inner city areas and have never seen the sea before or breathed fresh air.

“We don’t just teach them how to kayak or climb, we teach them about themselves and what they can achieve.

“Even if it’s just something small, maybe chatting to their neighbour, we give them the impetus to go and prove themselves.”

Coastal operations area commander of HM Coastguard George Crumpler considers Mr Cameron a “credit to his community”.

“He has worked for the Coastguard for 30 years and his recognition is very well deserved,” the commander said.

“He’s a good all-round chap - reliable, honest and very hard working.

“I can only offer him my heartiest congratulations.”

Mr Cameron was not the only recipient of an award with links to Gwynedd.

NFU Cymru’s former director, Mary James, is delighted to have received a MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for her services to agriculture in Wales. She lived in Talyllyn for 10 years whilst working for the agency.

Additionally, one of North Wales’ most senior police officers, deputy chief constable Gareth Pritchard, has been named as a recipient of the Queen’s Police Medal.