Big Day Out

This year Daf and I have reached 10 years of running the YOBs and thanks to the committee lead by Mike Jury who recommended us to the Lord Lieutenant, we received an invitation to Buckingham Palace to attend a Royal Garden Party.

The train was decided as the best way to travel comfortably and we arrived in London in plenty of time for a quick flight on the London Eye, followed by lunch on the Southbank, The weather was good, warm with periods of sun and cloud and on our walk to our prearranged changing facility we bumped into none other than 'Mr Cosmopolitan' himself Vernon Taylor sat having coffee... Yes it is a small world!!

Suit and tie on and Daf in her posh frock and hat it was time for the Palace... and its not every day you get to tell the taxi driver... 'Buckingham Palace Please!' It was strange and quite surreal to walk on the red carpet, in the front door and out into the gardens through the French doors where kings and queens have walked for over a hundred years.

The Queen and Prince Philip were in attendance with Princess Beatrice and several other members of the Royal Family and although we were not any of the lucky few who were introduced, it was quite a privilege to be in the garden receiving line as they made their way to the Royal Tea Tent. The food and tea were amazing with tiny bite size cakes and cucumber and mint leaf sandwiches with the crusts cut off of course... I think the ducks in the lake must have been well fed that day too. The gardens were beautiful, more like a private well kept park with walks paths and a lake.

Two military bands played alternatively throughout the afternoon starting with the national anthem for the arrival of the Royal Party. For those of you interested around 270,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed, with a special tea blend called "Buckingham Palace Garden Party Tea"

Although it was us who actually got the invitation, we view it and appreciated it as recognition of all the people involved with YOBs over the years and of course the youngsters that turn up for sailing every week.

Thanks to all those who put us forward for this privilege and the support we get from members.

Phil Samways

Submitted on 1st June 2014