FORMER Torpoint town mayor Mike Pearn went to Buckingham Palace to pick up his MBE. Mike was named in the Queen's New Year's honours list for his service to the community. 'I am royalist so it was a great honour,' he said. 'It was so overwhelming to be able to speak to the Queen.' Mike went to the awards ceremony with his wife Val and two children, Chris and Rachael. He was given an an MBE following years of fundraising activities for charities such as Cancer Research, Shelter Box, and the Chestnut Appeal. He also raised funds for appeals to help people in both Kosovo and Croatia. Mike also organised the Torpoint Carnival for 20 years and was mayor of the town from 1997-1999.