Liskeard man and South West Water's Conservation Manager Brian Hooper kept a date at Buckingham Palace this week when he received the MBE from Her Majesty the Queen. Brian was accompanied to the capital by his wife, Felicity, and their three children for what he describes as the proudest day of his life. The award, announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June, was for nearly 30 years dedicated and enthusiastic service to the water industry. Brian, who has a statistics degree from Brunel University in London, went to Liskeard Junior School and Callington Grammar School. He began his working life in water by doing demand forecasting for the region's three major reservoirs. One of his first tasks was to set up the region-wide domestic water consumption survey to accurately calculate water use in the South West. The survey is still in operation today, providing essential information. Today Brian works with customers to meet the company's statutory obligations to conserve water and use the resource wisely. 'I was really surprised to be rewarded in this way,' he said. 'It's a great honour. 'I have always been enthusiastic about my work and am so grateful to my family and many colleagues for all the support that I have received.'