Michael J Clarke
'By Appointment'
On 1st January2013 the company which Michael Clarke has been involved with, Golf Buggy Hire Ltd, received a Royal Warrant from the Queen for services rendered. At the same time he was named as the “Grantee” for the warrant mainly to oversee and ensure that the company complied with all requirements and legislation in holding a Royal Warrant. It also gives him the right to wear a Grantees medal!
This year the Royal Warrant holders celebrated the Coronation of the Queen with a “Royal Festival in the grounds of Buckingham Palace for three days in July displaying all the various services, products and skills which are provided to the Royal households by the warrant holders.
On July 11th, as a very special occasion, the “Grantees” from all of the warrant holders were invited with along with a guest to a “Royal” preview in the afternoon followed by a gala concert in the evening. Michael and his wife Pat were delighted to accept the invitation and duly arranged a hotel etc in London. It did necessitate quite lengthy queues due to the heavy security requirements, including passport checks, before anyone was allowed in to the Palace.
The Queen together with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, the Duke of York and other Royal Family members were all present. The afternoon held in glorious sunshine was thoroughly enjoyable with everyone endeavouring to speak to one of the Royal Party if requested so to do. It was reasonably informal with the royals walking around and stopping to talk to various warrant holders and guests.
As can be seen from the photograph they also used a six seat buggy which Golf Buggy Hire were proud to provide together with other vehicles for the use of the guests. Michael did offer to drive the buggy; the driver, however, was in fact a member of the royal household staff. Maybe that was fortunate as driving was very difficult with people milling around and Michael would not have wanted to be responsible for any potential accident with such distinguished passengers on board!
Michael describes the gala concert held against the backdrop of the rear of the palace as ‘excellent’ celebrating the sixty years of the reign of the Queen. The lighting effects against such a backdrop were something to seen, with an all star cast including Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson,  The Feeling, The National Youth Orchestra to name but a few. It was certainly an experience singing the National Anthem with the Queen present and in her own back garden.
Overall a never to be forgotten experience and one which Pat and Michael were proud to participate in. It certainly proves a talking point with his family particularly the grand children.

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