Staff Member At Penarth Home Spends Afternoon Mingling With Royals At Garden Party

A staff member at a Penarth home spent an afternoon walking the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Mandy Jenkins works as an administration manager at MHA Morel Court and was given the opportunity to attend the garden party on behalf of a resident Derrick Grattidge

Derrick was in the Lifeguards from 1950 to 1955 as a trooper and attended a garden party in the palace with his wife in 1999.

He wanted somebody from MHA Morel Court to experience this as a thank you for the work the home does in supporting residents to live later life well.

Garden Parties are an important way for members of the Royal Family to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.

Mandy went to the party with her husband Tony and described it as a “surreal” experience and one she will never forget.

She added: “When Derrick mentioned what he wanted to do, I jumped at the chance and once I filled out the security forms and received confirmation I was very excited.

“I was very proud to represent MHA Morel Court and more specifically MHA.

“We got the coach down and once we arrived there were around 8,000 people, the weather was glorious and seeing the King and Queen in person was something I can’t describe.

“We saw the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as well and it really was a great day.

“There were so many people who had played a huge part in supporting their communities and to be amongst them was an honour.

“I want to thank Derrick for the opportunity and it’s definitely something I will never forget.”