Cheryl's Special Day!
The 18th February 2009 is a day that England Netball Chair and our Netball Interim Chair, will remember forever. It was the day that she was presented with her richly-deserved OBE at Buckingham Palace.
The evening before Cheryl her husband, daughter and son-in-law enjoyed a couple of glasses of champagne to celebrate, in an apartment with views over the Thames and Tower Bridge.
The day started with nervousness and excitement, the London traffic jams adding to the stress!
Cheryl reports on her meeting with the Queen.
‘On arriving at the palace we drove through the magnificent gates into the inner quadrangle. Being ushered up the long, sweeping staircase, where guests were directed into the ballroom whilst recipients went into a separate room for briefing. The room was huge with walls covered by beautiful, priceless paintings. Recipients were briefed by the ushers on the sequence of events and the protocols for our meeting with the Queen. Recipients also had a chat prior to the formal business started.
We were escorted in groups trough the corridors of Buckingham Palace and across the ballroom, there I had my first glimpse of the many guests and the Queen. Playing in the gallery the orchestra of the Life Guards played throughout the investiture.
When my name was called by the Lord Chamberlain I walked across the front of the ballroom, turned to face the Queen and curtseyed, then walked towards the dais. The Queen presented my OBE medal and we had a brief conversation about netball and my involvement. The Queen shook my hand, which was my cue to leave and I curtseyed and excited the ballroom. I think I remembered all of the instructions!
After receiving my OBE, I joined the guests in the ballroom to watch the other recipients. When the presentations were complete we all stood for God Save the Queen and we watched while the Queen left the ballroom accompanied by guards.
Now the official business was complete, we went outside into the quadrangle to have photographs taken and to mingle and chat in the sunshine. We drove home relaxed and happy, and completed the celebration together with my parents, grandchildren and friends with dinner in a hotel. A TRULY MEMORABLE DAY FROM START TO FINISH.
