Originally Posted by
John Arton
Strangely I have actually met the Queen on two occasions though I doubt she can remember me.
First time was when I was at school and we were taken to Barrow in Furness where she was launching Britains first nuclear submarine and I along with a crowd of school mates were lining the walk around that she and the duke were having after the launch. I was in the front row and she stopped and talked to our teacher in charge of us and I was standing about 3 places further on.
2nd time was at a carriage driving event at Lowther Castle near Penrith and my mate (who was knocking off one of the female contestants in the single horse and trap section) got us into the Grooms Ball held at the end of the event. I was quietly necking the free G and T's when H.M. and the Duke came into the room and started circulating. The pair of them passed right in front of me and my pal but for some strange reason reason never stopped for a chat!!! which rather miffed me as I fancied comparing seafaring stories with Phil, him having been in the R.N. and me being in the M.N.
but hey ho at least the booze was free and there was a surfeit of female stable hands on the prowl.
rgds
JA