A BARRY grandfather has been recognised by the Queen in the birthday honours list.

Jeff Savory, of Court Road, has been awarded an OBE for services to disability sport.

The 68-year-old dad of three, who has two sons James, 35, and Jonathan, 46, with learning disabilities, and a daughter Caroline, 46, has been a leader in the learning disability field in Cardiff and the Vale for around 35 years.

He became chairman of Special Olympics Wales in 2005, stepping down last year and has made a significant impact on disabled peoples lives and opportunities in sport.

He started many new clubs throughout Wales – including Brecon, Bangor, and Merthyr and he coaches at many clubs within the Cardiff & Vale area running weekly sessions in golf at St Andrew Mayor Golf Club, kayaking at Barry Dock, and artistic gymnastics at Penarth Gymnastics Club which is now based in the Palmerston Estate, in Barry, and a badminton club in Cardiff.

Mr Savory won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Disability Sport Wales Awards in 2015; a Parents Federation Understanding Disability award in 2013; a Council of Wales Disabled Sports People Performance Coach award in 2007 along with other sporting honours.

Mr Savory is current coaching learning disability athletes aged from eight to 73 years of age.

He was made Barry Citizen of the Year in 2002 and was the secretary of Barry Mencap.

Now he has received royal recognition.

Mr Savory said: “I had a letter through the door in May.

“Because James has won lots I thought it was for him.

“It’s an honour to be recognised, but it’s not something I look for.

“I enjoy doing it.

“The reward is seeing them (the athletes) achieve something.

“The benefits for them are the same as other people – it just takes them longer to learn.”

He added: “It wasn’t hard keeping the honour a secret, for me, but it was for my wife Valerie.”