Sean Adcock, a Dry Stone Walling Association Master Craftsman has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to dry stone walling. Adcock is the six-time North Wales Professional Champion in dry stone walling and has taught students across the world, undertaken large-scale projects (including a temple in California) in addition to writing a number of books and producing technical guides on the subject.

The Caernarfon-based waller told the Rhyll, Prestatyn and Abergele Journal: "My partner had seen the envelope and was urging me to open it – I was more interested in the DIY parcels that had arrived; I didn't even notice 'The Cabinet Office' on the envelope, and probably wouldn't have twigged even if I had!  I'm certain there are others in the area more deserving than myself but haven't been fortunate enough to have been nominated in the first place."

Adcock who earned a degree in Modern History and Politics in the 1980s, has been a waller for 35 years after initially taking a year off after university to join a conservation volunteer project.