Highly Revered Local Resident

For some years now discussion has raged over whether the honours system is 'cheapened' by the bestowing of titles on sports personalities and entertainers. That argument is not to form part of this post, however a point related to the question of 'cheapening' is that of ignoring the 'ordinary man' who does perform some quiet act of selflessness.

I was struck by this article in Anderew Pierce's Notebook that appeared today in the Daily Telegraph:

"Letters in support outnumbered those against when I said last week that Bruce Forsyth should not have been knighted. One letter stood out. It highlighted the case of Arthur Titherington, 87, who has fought for decades for justice on behalf of his fellow former Japanese prisoners of war. Arthur, as past chairman and secretary of the Japanese Labour Camp Survivors' Association, has gone back to Japan many times to ask for an apology, each time reliving his own traumatic experiences. He has been nominated for an honour several times but has been ignored by Downing Street. Why? Are we still afraid of upsetting the Japanese? Forget Brucie. Campaign for Arthur Titherington."

Arthur Titherington is a resident of Witney, a former Mayor and a gentleman.

Now if the fact that he lives in David Cameron's constituency, is a former mayor and a gentleman do not 'tick the right boxes', whilst I have never had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman, may I suggest to Downing Street that they get themselves a 'new set of boxes'!