The Queens Garden Party invitations are sent out by the Lord Chamberlain’ s Office in the Lord Chamberlain’s name on behalf of The Queen, and this year to my surprise and honour, I and my wife were part of approximate 8,000 guests to join her Majesty at Buckingham Palace.

People from all walks of life are invited on the recommendation of a large number of national organisations who submit lists on a pre-arranged quota. For example, the government, Lord-Lieutenants and organisations such as the Civil Service, Armed Services, Diplomatic Corps, charities and societies, all have quotas for nominations. This ensures that a representative cross-section of the community is invited and that guests are generally people who have contributed a large amount to their various organisations or society.

Our Garden Party invite was received in recognition for my work with the Victoria Cross Memorial, charity work, volunteering and local community involvement all of which I have done for many years now with pleasure and for no gain other than helping to make a difference, even if only in the smallest of ways.

We were both very proud to be invited to the Garden Party and I for one shall remember it for all my days and will continue to work with those that need my help and support.

The Queens Garden Party 2010 - Buckingham Palace

Thursday the 15th July brought around both the privilege and honour for myself and my wife to attend the retirement of Mrs Kay Price, Headmistress of Southwold Primary School, Radford Nottingham.

Mrs Price has enjoyed a very long teaching career spanning a staggering 36 years, with the last 14 years being at Southwold.

I myself have given talks at the school and have always been met with a very warm welcome from both staff and children alike.

Myself and my wife would like to wish Kay the very best for the future and a very happy retirement.

Mrs Kay Price & Ron Booth

On May 20th 2010, I had the privlege to be invited to the Hollygirt Girls School, to give a talk on Victorian coal mining. The girls were between six and seven years of age. On that morning they had been doing the washing and the playing of the victorian children.

When I arrived all the children and Mrs Straw their teacher were dressed in Victorian costumes. I was greeted with politeness, and they were thrilled listening how the children in the Victorian times, worked in the local colleries.

Some came to the front and dressed up with a miners light and knee pads. They all had a great time, including myself, and I gave each of the children a Yo-Yo to practice with at home.

A thank you present for being attentive.

I was given a bottle of wine and a school pen, by the staff and the children.