Invite to Palace garden party was trip of a lifetime for Rotherham woman
LOOKING forward to her retirement at the end of this month, Julie Haywood certainly did not expect a right Royal crowning to her working life.
Julie was offered the chance to attend a Buckingham Palace garden party after her name was put forward by Rotherham Borough Council bosses.
The 65-year-old Dinnington woman was accompanied by her son, Ian, to the big bash last Tuesday (May 12) where she saw King Charles and Queen Camilla.
She says the whole experience was a great surprise and a real treat.
“It was a lovely day,” said Julie.
“The weather was quite cool but it was dry and it was lovely.”
There were around 8,000 people there, said Julie, and she praised the high standard of organisation – and the food.
She said: “It was allowed for us all to walk around the garden.
“There was every sort of person who was there at the garden party.
“It was a real experience that I will never have again.”
Julie has worked for Rotherham Borough Council for 48 years, starting as a typist in 1978 and ended as a librarian in Dinnington. She has had many roles for the council.
She is due to retire at the end of May and was surprised when the visit to Buckingham Palace was offered her.
“I got an email to say I had been nominated by the senior executives in February if I wanted to go,” said Julie.
“I was quite overwhelmed, to be honest. I’m not used to this kind of thing.
“It was an amazing day that I will not forget.
“My son has done a lot of travelling but he said that this visit to Buckingham Palace was outstanding.
“The garden party was very British: everyone was dressed up and everything.”
The garden party trip was ended with a visit to Covent Garden.