NLSQBC Receive Invitation from the queen
Report of NLSQBC invitation to a reception at Buckingham Palace 20th
May 2008
Our day started with a flight
to Gatwick from Glasgow, the Gatwick express into London
Victoria and then, given the good weather, we decided to
walk to the hotel book for a nights stay. I checked the map
I had to the Hotel and off we set...
Buckingham
Palace was on our route and just as we arrived the police
were securing the area and a military Band started up. Not,
as we thought, to celebrate our arrival (shame!) but as a tribute to
VIP's on their way out of the Palace in horse and
carriage - quite a sight. After spending a while enjoying
the sites we continued on the the Hotel. Half an hour later I
checked the Map - OOPS -Wrong place...! Not quite sure how
to broach the subject with Mark I decide to break it gently
-
"Mark, how do you fancy a walk to the right hotel?"
"What?", came the reply...
I did consider telling him the
map was upside down but decided to come out with it - I had
a map to a hotel with the right name but the in the wrong
place - ours was 3 miles to the west! Off we set again....
Some time later after a walk and tube ride, which was a new
experience for Mark we arrived at a basic but ok Hotel. We
had plenty of time so we relaxed for a couple of hours
before getting ready. On with the whistle and flutes
(suits), slicking our hair down and fumbling with ties we
were ready with time to spare. Taxi ordered and we were off.
The Taxi driver had already been to the Palace with other guests so knew the routine and half an hour later we were nervously standing outside the gate and on our way in. We presented our invitations and we were effectively dropping in on the Queen and the Duke for tea! A couple of ordinary blokes who just happen to be luck enough to volunteer for a great club and we were at the Palace.
We entered through the front gates and walked across the courtyard into the main compound. Entering the building presented us with a stunning flight of stairs up to the state rooms. We were greeted by staff who gave us name badges and then entered a large high ceiling room room filled with fabulous artworks and furnishings.
There were about 300 representatives of voluntary organisations at the reception and we spent some time chatting to members of a disabled sports club. Barnados Pyramid and others. After half an hour people were being ushered into another room and suddenly realised were only a few feet from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, in the words of a panicked teenager - "omigawd!!!" Whilst we knew the Queen and Duke would be present we did not realise we would be formally introduced. Just a few seconds later there we were being introduced to the Queen!
After
the introductions the reception continued for another couple
of hours with members of the Royal family and household
staff mixing with the guests and regular servings of nibbles
and drinks. Mark and I spent a good while talking to David
Ryan, Director of Records in the Palace - A fascinating man
and example of an ordinary person in an extraordinary job.
David also has close family links to Peebles and Scotland.
We would like to extend our thanks to David for his company
and have extended and invitation to him and his family to
visit the club should they be in the area.
Once the reception was over we decided to take a walk through London and find a place to have a bit to eat - not as easy as you think, after about three miles and when virtually back at our hotel we finally found a Chinese restaurant - hot, tired and desperate for something to eat we went in and relaxed to chat about our recent experience.
The following morning we were up and out early to catch the tube to Victoria. After a couple of slight mishaps in getting on the wrong trains (Doh! - Always pay attention to which train has just come in the station!) we got to Victoria station and had a proper breakfast. Then off again to Gatwick. Being the early birds we were there was plenty of time at Gatwick watch the world go by and relax. in fact due to the delay announced on our flight we relaxed...and relaxed...and relaxezzzzzzzzzed for ages. Eventually our flight was announced and in no time at all we were stepping off in Glasgow - the end of a short but fascinating trip to see the Queen - Dick Whittington, eat your heart out - here come the NLSQBC!
Mark Komar and I would like to extend our thanks to Bob for nominating us to represent the club, David Ryan at Buckingham Palace and especially the Queen and Duke for their gracious invitation and hospitality.
Richard Moffat
Volunteer
May 2008