The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

A VISIT TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Firstly after many trips taking the Mayoral party to the
Palace, what a privilege to get our own invite. This
being due entirely to being in the Guild of Macebearers
and being honoured by taking the Prime Wardens
position, maybe this might be sufficient inducement to
join and actively participate in the Guild affairs.
Needless to say Marcia was delighted, the opportunity
to find a suitable outfit to wear, and to get me into a full
morning dress, as advised by our wise old Guild Clerk.
Marcia suitably attired for the journey in track suit and
for me Jeans and a polo. We made our way to the
Winning Post for lunch, a time honoured route and
watering hole. We in our lowly Megane had been
overtaken by APR 1 just after leaving Ferndown.
At the Winning Post, a plethora of Mayoral transport,
Poole, Bournemouth, East Dorset and Weymouth were
there assembled. The company were surprised to find
us on our way to their destination so casually dressed;
however, by our departure the Cygnets had changed
their plumage. We took our place in the convoy, made
a small deviation from our time honoured track due to
Beach Volleyball on Horse Guards Parade
and ended parked herringbone in the
Mall. Unfortunately as we left the car
the rain started, at the head of the
Mall, Marcia found that she had
left the paperwork in the car so
back I went leaving Marcia
and the umbrella, it is a good
job seafarers and water mix,
fortunately the rain was not
enough to spoil the
anticipation but sufficient to
drive the photographers
away, so the professional
photo call that would have
been nice to post in The
Macebearer was not available
but an amateur version is
available, subject to the Editor’s
scrutiny. (Very smart they are too –
Ed)
Needless to say we had a wonderful time strolling
around the gardens, Marcia especially as she is
dedicated to gardening, unfortunately we had to leave
the camera as photos are not permitted within the
grounds, although there were a multitude of smart
phones in action, however, we resisted the temptation.
There were the little points of interest, to note in the
event planning, such as the two bands playing from
bandstands at opposite corners of the lawn, with a
pennant on each being raised and lowered to indicate
when a changeovers were due.
Whilst on our perambulation we were approached by a
resplendent Gent and his Lady, who mistakenly
recognised my Guild Prime Warden’s badge for the
one he was wearing, and asked me which County I
represented. He had mistaken the cross maces for the
cross swords, and had assumed I was High Sherriff,
as he was for Rutland; obviously I did a reasonable job
of upholding the traditions of the Guild’s reputation.
Marcia, a dedicated foody took great delight in the tea
especially the gold crown insignia topped chocolate
cake provided from the refreshment marquee, I had
been pre warned from my past trips , not to expect a
great deal from the catering, however, I have to say,
other than not having hot coffee on tap, brilliant. We
took our place close to the designated path, for the
Royal perambulation, the line of which was held and
continually expanded by the Gentlemen Ushers.
During the afternoon the rain came in showers even
until the time for the Royal family and their
entourage to come onto the lawn, and
then the showers stayed away. The
sun shines on the righteous.
However finally the showers
turned to more persistent rain
and we having met up and
spent time with the
Bournemouth Mayor and
Mayoress, with whom we
had spent a previous
evening at a Dorset
Magistrates reception at the
Lord Lieutenant’s home.
Although the Queen had not
taken her leave, we decided to
do so.
A marvellous day which we found
most enjoyable. As part of the job the
Macebearers perform, the Mayoral visit
to the Palace is one of the regular ports of
call, surely this must be a fitting reward. As I have said
previously, this reward must be an incentive to join the
Guild, attend the Conference and show your
commitment to the Guild and assist in its governance.
David Knight, Poole
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