In early January, Reading Family Aid were honoured to receive four invitations to a Queen's Garden Party. Two were for Ruth Perkins for her work with the charity (carried over from 2020 because of Covid) and two were as a result of receiving the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2021.
So, on the afternoon of May 18th four members of the Reading Family Aid committee made the journey up to the Palace to enjoy the hospitality of the Queen! The four attending were (from left to right) Ruth Perkins (past Chair), Charlie Mclean (Publicity Mgr), Wendy Howell (Vice Chair),  and Sheila Wright (Incoming Email Mgr).

It was a gloriously warm and sunny day and we made our way into the gardens to explore.

At 4PM Beefeaters arrived on the terrace, the Royal party emerged from the Palace and God Save the Queen was played. Unfortunately the Queen herself could not be there but Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward, Duke of Wessex and Sophie, Duchess of Wessex were there. They mingled with the crowds and talked to many people although sadly not to any of us!

Afterwards we meandered through the crowds ( there were about 7,000 people there!), enjoyed a cooling drink and finally made our way home after a wonderful afternoon in the Queen's back garden!

On Monday April 11th a coachload of families had a lovely day out at Odds Farm Park. Many of the children had never been on a farm or seen live animals before.

Homestart said: "Thank you, once again, for arranging such a lovely day out for our families yesterday. Everyone had such a wonderful time.".