For those of you who don’t know — and it may be many — I was awarded an MBE in the Queens Honours List which I picked up this week from Prince Charles. My three invited guests were naturally my family, Gabbi, Georgia & Sam.
I had not given a great deal of thought to the day since the letter arrived in the post some 6 months ago, I remember Gabbi being rather disappointed in herself for opening the letter thinking it was a tax bill and therefore spoiling my surprise — for me this didn’t matter, it is all part and parcel of sharing in what many have contributed towards this honour. There is no doubt in my mind that without a great team which I expect so much from, and customers who expect a great deal from us, that I would not be entering the gates of Buckingham Palace. After all, you cannot run a business for 19 years by yourself — there are so many people who have contributed enormously and I would like to use this opportunity to say — THANK YOU.
So yes, I hadn’t given it much thought apart from buying a new suit the week before but on the night prior I had thought how proud I would have been if it had been one of my children picking up the same accolade and then I probably realized how much it meant to my parents who also came down on the day.
The day began by arriving at the Palace by limousine kindly offered to me by my friend Stuart Procter the General Manager of The Stafford Hotel where we all stayed the night before - a great way to arrive !! There was much security and check points from very smartly dressed guards and the systems of the House before arriving in the Gallery Room surrounded by Rembrandts and Masters, far too many to remember. Orange juice and water on offer but no tea on joining my fellow honoraries.
I was humbled by various trades and professions in the room - many from community services who have given their life to their work, and many who were as surprised as me just for doing a job that they loved.
For a good part of the wait, names were called out in 10’s to be lined up to enter the Great Ball Room where Prince Charles was waiting along with our families. I chatted to a retired BBC head and a very recently retired chief inspector who has worked with hostage negotiations which interested me enormously. We laughed and joked as the hundred or so slowly whittled down 10 at a time until there was only 20 left and by coincidence all three of us were called out in the same order which was rather amusing to no-one except ourselves.
My thirty seconds or so conversation with Prince Charles revolved around restaurants and to a previous lunch invitation to Highgrove which I declined, although I still ended up being involved in Prince Charles’ Mutton Renaissance — a topic that he has publicized on behalf of farmers. He told me he was now trying to do the same for the wool industry. I retorted that I could not help him on this occasion as my knitting was rather rusty!
Then it was all over……outside for photographs, a few more outside the gates with my proud parents and then it was my treat - Lunch at The Ritz organized brilliantly by my friend and Executive Head Chef, John Williams and our previous Head Chef at Longridge, James Holah. A memorable day and one that I hope will live in the memory of my children for many years to come.
Thank you again to so many people in supporting us through thick and thin and for the contribution that everybody has made.
