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ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN ILLNESS OR DISABILITY MARTIN RECEIVES AN MBE FROM THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE NOVEMBER 2007
Click on Thumbnails to Enlarge We had a lovely day as the sun decided to shine on a beautiful autumn day in London and to complete the day the Queen attended the ceremony, having a bad back beforehand. I really thought it would be Charlie boy in attendance. It started with an overnight stay in London as we had to arrive at the Palace at 10.30am. We didn’t have a very successful sleep as we didn’t realise the trains run 24-7 as we were right by Victoria station. The next morning after a hearty breakfast and our party making themselves look beautiful we drove off in the car to find the Palace taking route plan number two at the last minute, for some unknown reason. Anyway it got us to the Palace. We asked the security police at a side gate how we find the entrance as we never imagined we were going to enter by the front entrance. At the main gates of the palace as we drove in to what used to be the old road in front we were confronted by the police carrying out their security checks on all the vehicles. The police made a fuss of Shell as soon as they new she was a Scouser and everyone was looking at us to see what the fuss was about. The police suggested to her that the car was stolen as we couldn’t open the bonnet or boot having only just purchased the car that week. After their good humour we then attempted to proceed realising then that we didn’t have our invitation. Well what a performance as we could not remember having ever seen one. (We found the invite about 2- months later on top of a kitchen unit at home) after bluffing about another four security checks, not funny really, as we had heard on the news that someone at another investiture was refused entry because they never had their invitation, we finally drove in under the balcony into the quadrangle and then we began to feel just a little bit like royalty. We entered the Palace by the same entrance as heads of state like George Bush and Nelson Mandela. The area was flanked by house hold cavalry and guards of all colourful descriptions. Once in, as a recipient, I went to the Picture Gallery and my guests to the Ball Room. The picture gallery was amazing with paintings larger than our sitting room. I became a little nervous at this point and latched onto one guy to pass the time and it turned out he had served Princess Diana and now Princess Alexandra, he too received an MBE. We were also in the presence of Garry Rhodes who was also attending the investiture. From there we were called forward in groups of about twelve and taken through the back of the ballroom and then down the side waiting to go forward to meet the Queen. Eventually, once second in line I walked forward into the ballroom in view of all the guests and waited for my name to be called which was my queue to move forward and this is sadly when the nerves kicked in and as soon as I heard my name the nerves stopped again but everything seemed to be a bit of a dream I couldn’t believe I was stood in front of the Queen. What was said I can’t remember word for word but she said "really well done" and "so deserved" and "so truly amazing" and went on to ask how many years had we been taking the children and after a reply asked, and how often do we carry out these events and after congratulating me again the queen of England offered her me her hand which was the signal for me to leave. I nearly forgot not to turn my back on her as there is only one person in the world allowed to do this some Duke or other and I don’t mean Phillip. I then had to take three steps backwards bowed and walked out of the Ballroom and my body then came back to life with a rush and it began to feel full of warmth satisfaction not just for myself but particularly Shell my dad my sister even my late mum and for you and every one that has been a part of Katie’s in any way and of course all my friends back in the Cotswolds. I then sat in the audience to watch the rest of the proceedings. Once it had finished they played the national anthem which meant more to me than it ever did before I could relate it to winning the Olympic game’s one hundred meters standing on the rostrum watching the raising of the Union Jack or perhaps a Katie’s kid receiving a Katie’s Ski Tracks medal. The Queen then came down through the audience smiling and departed, I expect for her lunch. Then we all met up and I gave my medal to Shell. She said it was a very proud moment watching and it made her cry as I walked forward. Her first words were "if you could have heard the master of ceremonies announcing to the audience the reason for everyone awards" as I was only one of a few who got theirs for voluntary work as the majority were awarded to people for just doing the jobs they were paid for and she felt that was the real difference. Once outside we had our official photographs taken in the quadrangle back were all the members of states arrive and depart. It was a shame about the top hat I hired as it was too big and squashed my ears but it made everyone laugh. We had a meal and a few drinks as we got outside Oxford at the old rising sun and spent the night with my mates back in the Cotswolds and stayed two nights with dad. Now back to reality but still living the dream a little bit but I certainly won’t forget the day and I hope it has helped you to understand it a little bit too. All the Best for now
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