THE chairman of Mistley’s Free the Quay campaign has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

Simon Bullimore, 80, of Bradfield, will be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the community in Mistley.

Mr Bullimore has been fighting to remove the “eyesore” 1.8-metre high metal fence, which was put up by port owner TW Logistics.

The fence, which was put up in 2008 after the Health and Safety Executive raised concerns, sparked years of legal battles with residents claiming it obstructed their views of the River Stour.

The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by TW Logistics, upholding the village green registration for the quay, last year.

Mr Bullimore said: “I only found out when I had a letter from the honours office before Christmas – it was a complete surprise.

“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time when the campaign started.

“I practiced as a solicitor in London and Brussels and then I made chocolate, but I had retired when the issue about the fence came up.

“They were looking for someone who knew a bit about the law. I knew nothing about village green law - and I have learned a lot as a result of this.

“I had no idea at the beginning that I was getting involved in something that would end up in the Supreme Court 14 years later.

“What kept me going throughout was the support we received from the local community.

“I just feel grateful that we’ve made progress.

“I’ve learned a huge amount in the process of getting the village green recognised on the quay – and I’ve made a lot of friends during the course of this.

“I’m just thankful that we have managed to get to the end of it.

“We’re just looking forward to the final step, which is to get the fence removed.”

Mr Bullimore said campaigners are now putting pressure on Essex County Council and other bodies to get them to take action to remove the fence.

He thanked the community for backing the campaign and Nigel Farthing, from law firm Birketts, for his expertise.