HE ONLY took up the piano after breaking his ankle.

Now Paisley-born pianist and conductor Derek Norval has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to music.

Mr Norval, 69, was told he had been nominated six weeks ago but managed to keep it a secret from his wife Lyndsay until New Year’s Eve.

“I was really surprised when I opened the letter,” said the former principal teacher of music at Paisley Grammar School.

“It has been hard keeping it a secret but I wanted to surprise Lyndsay, as well as family and friends.

“I am deeply honoured to have been even considered and I would like to thank those who nominated me.”

Mr Norval is well known in music circles, not only in Paisley but also across the country.

He was organist and choirmaster for 15 years at the Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, in Paisley.

It was there that, 35 years ago, he established the Thomas Coats Memorial Choral Society, which still performs today.

Mr Norval has also held posts with various amateur operatic societies, including the famous Orpheus Club, in Glasgow, and the Paisley Musical and Operatic Society.

In addition, he is a respected judge at various music festivals.

However, as a young boy, he was more interested in pursuing a career in football than making it as a musician.

He explained: “When I was 11, I broke my ankle and was feeling miserable. My mum promised to buy me a pair of football boots if I went for piano lessons.

“I have to say, I was probably no loss to football.”

However, football’s loss was definitely music’s gain and, by the age of 16, Mr Norval was organist at Barrhead Methodist Church and the former Barrhead South and Levern Church.

After teaching at Paisley Grammar in the 1970s, he went on to conduct the Orpheus Club in a production of The Mikado.

He has also conducted sell-out shows of musicals such as Les Miserables.

For the last 25 years, he has served as organist and choirmaster at St Paul’s Church, in Milngavie.

In 2013, his 50 years of service as church organist was recognised at St Paul’s Church when he was presented with a Certificate of Long Service signed by the Moderator of the Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

His mastery of the organ is seen as a considerable enrichment to worship at St Paul’s.

In addition, the Girls’ Brigade company associated with the church had a percussion band which he was happy to tutor.

Mr Norval was also principal teacher of music and then course director of the music school at Douglas Academy, in Milngave, for 35 years before retiring in 2014.

As well as piano, he also plays the cello, guitar, double bass and drums.

Also recognised in the New Year Honours List are Dr Jenny Preston, from Renfrew, and Juliet Mary Robb, of Bridge of Weir.

Dr Preston, an occupational therapist consultant who works for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, receives an OBE for services to the occupational therapy profession and neurological rehabilitation.

She has nearly 30 years of clinical experience in the field of neurological rehabilitation and has worked within the NHS in a range of clinical and management positions.

Writing on her Twitter page, where dozens of people have offered their congratulations, Dr Preston commented: “It has been so exciting and great to see everyone else join in the moment. Really surprised but delighted.

“I’ll just need to live up to the expectations now.”

Dr. Preston has worked in a number of specialised areas including Accident and Emergency Departments people with HIV.

Mrs Robb, founder of the Olive Tree charity, receives a MBE for services to interfaith relations and charitable services.

The charity describes its aim as building bridges of understanding and support, in a spirit of reconciliation, between believers, both Jewish and Arab, in Israel and the Palestinian areas and Christians worldwide.

It often works in difficult and dangerous situations and has been recognised as a major force for peace and reconciliation in the area.

The charity’s website sates: “There is great need amongst the body of believers in Israel and the wider Middle East. By telling the stories of these people through the media, we hope Christians in the nations will be encouraged to take an active and prayerful interest.”