Earlier this month, Ian Riley, one of the amazing Community Supporter Workers at our Newbridge Centre in Stockport, was invited to celebrate at this year’s Buckingham Palace garden party.
Garden parties are a royal tradition where community members are invited by the British monarch to a celebration in Buckingham Palace as a way of honouring and thanking them their contributions to society, in a tradition that dates all the way back to the 1860s.
First working in our residential homes, Ian then worked in the fostering team before moving into our community services. Throughout his over 30 years with the Together Trust, Ian has worked tirelessly to ensure that some of our most vulnerable young people experience as much joy and happiness as possible – and it was wonderful to honour his dedication at this special event.
He shares his experience from the day below:
“It was a real privilege and honour to represent Newbridge and the Together Trust at The Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 6th May. The gardens looked wonderful and there was a lovely atmosphere throughout the day.
I arrived at the gates of Buckingham Palace at 2.45pm. After passing through the security check I was guided into the gardens by very friendly Palace staff along with a whole stream of other excited guests, all dressed in their finery!
I spent time chatting with other guests about the work we do at the Together Trust and the wonderful people at Newbridge Day Centre. Everybody seemed genuinely interested and it was nice to speak so positively about the work we are all involved in.
We were entertained by two military bands who played lots of popular music during the afternoon. At 4 pm, they played the national anthem as the royal party arrived on the steps of Buckingham Palace.
Although I didn’t meet the King and Queen personally, they walked very close by where I was standing and you could really feel the warmth and friendliness as they spoke with people around us. Along with the King and Queen, other members of the Royal Party were The Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The pomp and ceremony of the Yeomen of the Guard ensured that everyone was kept at a respectful distance whilst also providing excellent entertainment.
The sandwiches, cakes and tea were exceptional and rounded off a wonderful afternoon.
All in all, it was a very memorable day and one I shall never forget. Thank you very much for choosing me to attend and represent Newbridge and the Together Trust. I really appreciated the opportunity.”
