Retired Evesham Teacher Eric Jones Receives MBE At Windsor, Wales 2026

Key Points

• Eric Jones, retired teacher from Monks Walk in Evesham, received an MBE for services to education and to young people.
• The honour was bestowed upon him by Prince of Wales, Prince William during the investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle on 7 October 2026.
• Mr Jones has been teaching or tutoring for over 50 years and believed to be the oldest teacher in Worcestershire.
• He has taught drama and religious studies in London for 33 years and retired to Evesham along with his wife, Viv, in 2006.
• Post-retirement, he has been continuing his service for the young ones in terms of theatre projects, LAMDA tuition, anti-bullying, and governance in schools.
• During the pandemic, he voluntarily served in classes across the Vale as a supply teacher to make up for staff shortage in the schools.
• Mr Jones received the honour of MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours; the official honours list mentions, Eric George Henry Jones, retired and volunteer teacher, for services to young people and to education.
• Mr Jones was accompanied by his wife, Viv, son, Kevin Oliver Jones, and daughter, Heather Geraghty.

Castle (Wales Times) October 17, 2026 — A retired Evesham teacher who has worked with young people for more than five decades has received his MBE from the Prince of Wales at Windsor uk/local/swansea/castle/">Castle, describing the occasion as “surreal”.

Eric Jones, from Monks Walk in Evesham, was presented with the honour by Prince William at an investiture ceremony on 7 October. The award recognises his services to education and young people, following a career and voluntary commitment spanning more than 50 years.

As reported by the Evesham Journal, Mr Jones said the moment with Prince William felt remarkable: “To have the Prince of Wales greet you with, ‘Eric, good morning,’ and then while away a few minutes talking about my career and voluntary work with young people was, again, surreal.”

The Evesham Observer reported that Mr Jones received the award at an investiture event at Windsor Castle earlier this month, with the ceremony centring on his long-standing work with young people.

Why Did Eric Jones Receive An MBE?

Mr Jones received the MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to young people and to education. The official Birthday Honours list identified him as Eric George Henry Jones, a retired and volunteer teacher from Evesham, Worcestershire.

As reported by the Evesham Journal, the recognition followed “a lifetime spent teaching, mentoring and inspiring young people”. The newspaper also stated that Mr Jones is thought to be the oldest teacher in Worcestershire.

The Evesham Observer similarly reported that Mr Jones had worked with young people for more than 50 years before receiving the honour.

What Did Eric Jones Say To Prince William?

Mr Jones told Prince William that he would return to teaching immediately if given the opportunity. As reported by the Evesham Journal, he said: “I’ve been teaching or tutoring for about 50-plus years and still enjoy it, so much so that I told Prince William I’d do it again tomorrow if I could.”

He then added a light-hearted remark about the Prince of Wales’s family: “But it seems he did not need a tutor for George.”

The remark was highlighted in coverage carried by Worcester News and aggregated by Ground News under the headline “Worcestershire’s oldest teacher’s quirky joke with Prince William at MBE ceremony”.

How Long Has Eric Jones Worked In Education?

Mr Jones has spent more than five decades in teaching, tutoring and voluntary educational work. According to the Evesham Journal, he taught drama and religious studies in London for 33 years before retiring to Evesham in 2006 with his wife, Viv.

Earlier reporting by WalesOnline described Mr Jones as believed to be Britain’s oldest teacher at the age of 82, noting that he had taught at least 4,000 children religious education and English since beginning his career in 1969.

That report stated that he began teaching in London during the 1960s, officially retired at 61 in 2001, and later returned to classrooms in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

What Work Did He Continue After Retirement?

Retirement did not end Mr Jones’s involvement in education. As reported by the Evesham Journal, he continued to support young people through theatre projects, LAMDA tuition, anti-bullying work and school governance.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he returned to classrooms across the Vale as a volunteer supply teacher, helping schools manage staff shortages.

The Evesham Journal reported that, despite receiving the MBE, he has no plans to leave education and continues to support GCSE students with English language and literature studies.

Who Accompanied Eric Jones To The Ceremony?

Mr Jones was joined at Windsor Castle by his wife, Viv, his son, Kevin Oliver Jones, and his daughter, Heather Geraghty.

He praised the treatment he and his family received from palace staff. As reported by the Evesham Journal, he said:

“The feeling of being looked after so personally and being made to feel quite special is an art that palace officials seem to have mastered to such a degree as to be awesome.”

What Has Been Reported About The Honour?

The story has been covered by several regional and national outlets. The Evesham Observer reported Mr Jones’s account of receiving the MBE and described his work with young people over more than 50 years.

The Evesham Journal reported the ceremony, his conversation with Prince William, his teaching history and his continued voluntary work.

Ground News recorded that the story was originally reported by Worcester News on 15 October 2026 and was subsequently covered by outlets including the Cotswold Journal, Malvern Gazette and Evesham Journal.

The honour itself was announced earlier in the year. The Evesham Journal reported in June 2026 that Mr Jones had been awarded an MBE by King Charles III for services to education and young people.

Background Of The Development

The MBE, or Member of the Order of the British Empire, is awarded for outstanding achievement or service to the community. Mr Jones’s inclusion in the King’s Birthday Honours followed decades of work in schools and voluntary educational settings.

His career began in London, where he taught drama and religious studies for 33 years. After moving to Evesham, he remained active in local education through theatre, tuition, governance and supply teaching.

His earlier return to teaching during the pandemic formed part of wider efforts to support schools experiencing staffing pressures and pupil learning disruption. WalesOnline reported that retired teachers were encouraged to return to classrooms during that period, and that Mr Jones took up the opportunity.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Local Teachers And Volunteers

For teachers, retired educators and volunteers in Evesham and the wider Vale, the recognition may reinforce the value of long-term community involvement in schools. Mr Jones’s continued work after formal retirement shows how former teachers can remain active through tutoring, mentoring, governance and supply teaching.

For local schools, the story may draw attention to the contribution experienced volunteers can make, particularly during periods of staff shortage. Mr Jones’s pandemic-era return to classrooms illustrates one way retired professionals have supported pupils and staff.

For young people involved in drama, LAMDA tuition or anti-bullying initiatives, the award may highlight the importance of sustained adult mentorship outside conventional classroom hours. Mr Jones’s work in these areas formed part of the service recognised by the MBE.