BUCKINGHAM Palace, Birmingham Town Hall or his beloved Stourbridge? There was only ever one place community stalwart Derek Elton wanted to receive his MBE.

The 96-year-old Wollaston resident was invested at one of places closest to his heart on Monday afternoon (May 21) – Age Concern Stourbridge and Halesowen's Elton Centre branch in St John’s Road.

Mr Elton was named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for his services to scouting and the community in Stourbridge, particularly his work in founding the Age Concern branch.

And he received his medal from Mr John Crabtree, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, in front of a packed hall of family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers.

Derek told the News: “I could have gone to London but it would have been too long a day. I would have had to be at the Palace for 9am.

“They then offered me Birmingham Town Hall, my own home or any association that I’m working with voluntarily so I chose here, to be with those closest to me. It means a lot.

“I don’t know what to say really. I am overcome. When I originally had the communication telling me about the MBE, I couldn’t believe it, I thought they had got it wrong.”

David Harbach, Mr Elton’s son-in-law and the national chairman of the Baden-Powell Guild, added: “He wanted to come here, he was most determined that this award took place with the people who mean the most to him.”

Derek first became involved with scouting at the age of 15 with the 1st Stourbridge St Thomas’s Group, eventually progressing to district commissioner and, just a few years ago, receiving the highest Scout honour, the Silver Wolf.

His impact has been just as keenly felt with Age Concern, who named their Stourbridge base, the Elton Centre after him, and where Derek remains president and involved in its day-to-day running.

Awarding the MBE, Lord-Lieutenant Crabtree said: “When I read the citation and then the other information I was given about Derek’s work, I was exhausted by the end of it. You have done so much.

“I didn’t know about the Silver Wolf scouts honour and that, on its own, would probably be enough to merit this award.

“But you are also a founder member, creator and president of one of Age Concern’s best-run branches in the whole of the charity.

“It’s an absolute privilege to present you with the Member of the Order of the British Empire, for outstanding achievement or service to the community.”

Closing the tributes, Fred Hunt, chairman of Age Concern, said: “Derek has really been Age Concern personified.

“I can only say thank you very much to you and your family, and the medal you receive today is long overdue.”