Councillor Frank Keegan and his wife Sheila spent an afternoon at Buckingham Palace where they enjoyed a Royal Garden Party.
In 2008 he was invited as Leader of Macclesfield Borough Council and this time as a senior councillor within Cheshire East. Every year a few councillors receive an invitation.
Councillor Keegan explained "On the actual afternoon we went in at 3pm, very orderly in the front gate, through the arches then up the main staircase, where you see the cars drive under the screened approach, then through to the gardens.
"There is freedom to roam anywhere in the gardens, then at 4pm the Royal Party arrives. Various lines are formed, at random and you are advised who is on which line. Sheila and I had got chatting to some very nice people who were vets, and who happened to be being presented to Prince Philip so we stayed in that line. The lines are moveable, in the sense that the objective is to deliver the Royal Party to the Tea Tent at the end.
"The lines were, firstly Her Majesty the Queen, secondly HRH Prince Philip, third line was HRH Prince Charles and HRH Camilla, and fourth line was too far to work out who was in it.
"They proceed down each line, and there are a wonderful group of aides in morning wear, all former service chiefs, and they organise people to be introduced. The people are pre-ordained - our little group was vets, two actual Vets, one military horse guards vet with his spurs, and Chief Exec of RCVS. At one stage I was extremely popular, since I had taken a very large umbrella and it just tipped it down, as we waited for Prince Philip."
The cost of the train fares and hotel were met by Councillor Keegan.
He added "Councillor Jones has a policy that, in times of budget constraints, CEC does not fund such trips. We were happy to fund ourselves and made a lovely trip of the whole two days."
Approximately 8,000 guests attend each garden party. People from all walks of life are invited on the recommendation of a large number of national organisations who submit lists on a pre-arranged quota.
For example, the government, Lord-Lieutenants and organisations such as the Civil Service, Armed Services, charities and societies, all have quotas for nominations. This is to ensure that a cross-section of the community is invited and that guests are generally people who have contributed a large amount to their various organisations or society.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
this space for a car park.........
I trust that Cllr Keegan confessed to his previous visit before accepting a second invitation ?
I understand the Palace wartime allotments were relocated to a better site at Sandringham, leaving the beautiful gardens for greater public benefit.
Marc,
Rest easy. I advised Cheshire East that I had been before as the last Leader of MBC, and they passed the info up the food chain to the LGA, and possibly even beyond, and the invitation duly arrived.
Many of the guests to whom I spoke were Parish Councillors! Don't worry about Masons or the Comintern, its us parish councillors who will take over the world!
The queen was dignified, had a presence (may I venture charismatic?) and every word was crystal clear (unlike so much t.v.!). Princes Phillip and Charles circulated, working the crowd, like the seasoned pro's they are! I didn't know that Charles was a touchy-feely chap.
My second garden party so nice to know that I didn't blot my copybook the first time!
The Royals appeared dead on 4 p.m. (punctuality is the politeness of princes?) and the heavens opened at just that moment. The sarcasm to which I had been subjected for carrying a mac. ceased!
One of the many small pieces of expertise: many ladies wore heels and so with the rain, they experienced a sinking feeling; the ladies of the Royal party seemed to have mastered the knack of walking on toes only and their heels merely glided over the wet grass!
Yes, I did have a cucumber sandwich; and the 'fancies' were to die for!
If you get the chance, swallow your republican pride and go 'cos it is a great experience!