On Thursday, May 8 Buckingham Palace hosted its first garden party of the year. The event marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, members of the royal family attending to remember the end of the second world war in Europe. King Charles and Queen Camilla were among those who welcomed guests and mingled with the 8,000 attendees. The party was attended by a range of individuals, showcasing the event’s purpose of recognising those who volunteer and serve the public.
Brenda Snashall’s was invited and explains how this came about:
“The Mothers’ Union sent Andrew Blackman, the lord-lieutenant of East Sussex, an invitation to come and see one of our caravans at Rye Bay caravan park at Winchelsea Beach. We let these caravans to people who can’t afford a holiday or are suffering with long-term health issues. It also is for clergy retreats. We have another caravan at Selsey, Chichester.
“Another project that we are involved with is our ‘Ministry of Cake’. There are five of us from the Mother’s Union who have joined the chaplaincy team at the Conquest Hospital where we visit the baby unit and listen to the parents and give dads, new mums, and staff refreshments.
“I am mainly involved with the caravan and when the lord-lieutenant came, he wanted to know everything about the project and was interested in all that we do. The next thing l knew he sent me an email and asked if l would like to go to the Buckingham Palace tea party with the King. So of course, I said ‘yes’. This was especially exciting since I had met Queen Camilla last year, as well. I have been recovering from heart surgery and this really bucked me up and gave me something special to get well for.
“I went with my daughter, Sarah Snashall. We were hoping to meet the Duchess of Edinburgh as she is our new patron after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Sarah kept pushing me forward and eventually a sergeant-at-arms spoke to me, wanting to know all about the Mothers’ Union but when Sarah and l got near to the Duchess we lost out to a group of enthusiastic girl guides. Never mind; the whole experience was wonderful, a once-in-a-lifetime event and I am really grateful to the lord-lieutenant for singling me out for this special invitation.”
James Tomlinson, our wonderful bird artist and wearer of many hats and master of many skills, also had the opportunity to go to Buckingham Palace. His day did not start off in a calm, relaxed, laid-back sort of start.
“It all started with a boat moving errand for the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. A tern raft required moving from the reeds at Pett Pools so with Dr Barry Yates and Dave King I went along to add my assistance. Job completed, I then quickly dashed home to freshen up for the Buckingham Palace garden party.
“I was accompanied by Lisa and travelled to London to represent the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for being awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Services – KAVS.
“I would like to personally thank all of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, members and trustees, for making this happen. It was indeed a very special day, one that I will not forget! And it was an honour to represent such a wonderful band of volunteers who do so much for the reserve in so many ways.”
Image Credits: James Tomlinson , Brenda Snashall , James Tomlinson , Rye Harbour Nature Reserve .
Congratulations to Brenda and James. Well deserved for all their hard work and dedication to two well worth charities of Rye.
Thank you Judith
Very well deserved Brenda and James,glad you got nominated for your hard work
Thank you Ian