Dick goes to the garden party

AMONG 8,000 guests at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace was the chairman of Bexhill and District Gardens and Allotments Society.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Jul 2007, 12:43 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:21 BST

Dick Lancaster, accompanied for the occasion by his daughter, Nicky, was able to cast an informed eye over the Royal gardens.

Dick was invited to the event on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mrs Phyllida Stewart-Roberts.

He has served for well over 30 years as society chairman and is a Life Member of Sussex County Cricket Club.

He said: "It was a brilliant day. There were 8,000 people there. I had no idea it was so huge!

"The marquee would have stretched the length of Sackville Road...Just imagine feeding 8,000. But the food was superb, of course.

"The Queen came out with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie. The others disappeared but Her Majesty spent an hour meeting people. We were really close to her at one point."

Dick's only regret? "No cameras were allowed."