Royal honour for Barber, Wilkinson and Wormald
Exactly 30 years after shaking hands with Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on their Royal Visit to Bolton, Chris Wormald attended the latest Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Party, on Tuesday May 15th, at the invitation of Her Majesty.
In a baking heat, the latest Royal Garden Party saw Her Majesty The Queen invite 3,000 honoured nominees to the Palace, which also included John Barber and Mark Wilkinson of Foden's Band.
Whilst Chris Wormald's invitation honoured his 35 year commitment to Bolton, the Foden's duo appeared following a nomination from Congleton MP Fiona Bruce for their services to Foden's Band and the support and growth of music education in Cheshire East.
Guests were entertained by music from the Band of the Royal Logistics Corps whilst enjoying afternoon tea, iced coffee, lemon juice and cucumber sandwiches as the Yeomen of the Guard provided all the splendour and ceremony that the afternoon deserved. In addition to the Queen, other members of the Royal Family in attendance were Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, along his brother Prince Edward and his wife Sophie the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Speaking about the experience John Barber told BBW: "Both Mark and I were hugely humbled and honoured to receive an invitation to the Queen's Garden Party. Foden's has been a significant part of both of our lives for so many years now that being involved in its support, development and promotion has very much become a way of life. It was a truly wonderful afternoon and a memory that will be treasured for a very long time."
For Chris Wormald it was also a special day that brought back happy memories from 30 years ago in 1988, when he was Head of Brass Instrumental Teaching for Bolton Education Authority, and conducted the brass band which greeted Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, as they arrived by the Royal Train at Bolton Station.
