Charles Wells congratulates licensee for recognition in New Year's honours list

Meads has been running the Charles Wells pub with his wife Sheila for more than 40 years. He has helped raise more than £200,000 for local causes, supporting the school, church, playgroup and local charity. This led the Pulloxhill community to nominate Peter for the accolade.

British Empire Medal​

Meads will be collecting his award in February, with an invite to visit Buckingham Palace later in the year.

He said: “’When I took over the Cross Keys in 1970 I would never have believed that I would someday be awarded such an honour as the British Empire Medal. This pub and every other village pub seems to be the centre for many fundraising and charitable events.

“Over the years, being a member of many social clubs then being invited to join the Ampthill Round Table, 41 club and Rotary clubs which are all community service clubs, being involved in village activities when my children were at school and supporting fundraising for the village church; none of this would have been possible without the support of my wife. I am delighted to say that my son is continuing in the same way.”

Charles Wells Pub Company 'delighted'​

Peter Wells, managing director at Charles Wells Pub Company said: “We couldn’t be more delighted that Peter has been awarded this honour, it is thoroughly deserved and a real testament to his outstanding contribution to the local community over the past forty years