Lincolnshire County Councillor for Nettleham & Saxilby Division and West Lindsey District Councillor for the Saxilby ward, Cllr. Mrs. Jackie Brockway together with Cllr. Giles McNeill, West Lindsey District Councillor for the Nettleham ward, have both attended the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, 19th May 2016.

The afternoon began a little after half past two when guests were allowed into the Palace. Afternoon tea was served from half past three. The Yeomen of the Guard ‘hold ground’ and a two rows emerge across the lawn between the Palace’s West Terrace and the Royal Tea Tent by the lake. At four o’clock, promt, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family emerge from the Palace to the National anthem and then make their way from the Palace to the Royal Tea Tent over the course of an hour with small groups of specially selected individuals being presented, usually from Charities and bodies to which the Royal is a patron.

There are two military bands that play music alternatively throughout the afternoon, including, on this occasion, at one point, the theme tune to Family Guy. Guests are able to walk freely around the garden which includes a lake, the broad stretches of lawn, a 170 metre long herbaceous border, a curved avenue on Indian chestnut (added by the Queen in 1961), the Admiralty Summer House, and a rose garden – at the centre of which is the Waterloo Vase, made from carrara marble, originally made for Nepoleon and given by King Edward VII in 1903. Cllr. McNeill said:

“I have been very pleased to attend the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace today with Jackie. I am enormously proud to have been invited and thrilled to have been here. It is remarkable; you glimpse the Queen, as she walks through the garden, and suddenly you realised you’re here at her invitation and this is her event. It is a tremendous honour.”

The afternoon concludes at six o’clock, with the National Anthem, as guests depart.