FOUR Barry volunteers had an invite to a right royal occasion when the Queen invited them to a garden party which honoured UK-wide volunteers, in May.

Stalwart volunteer Bryan Foley, his daughter Rachel, and friends an RBL Barry branch poppy appeal organisers and Brain Tumour charity fundraisers, Teresa and Roy Goodwin put on their royal attire to make the journey to Buckingham Palace, in London.

Mr Foley, 54, of Guthrie Street, is a scout leader with the 11th Barry Sea Scout group, where Rachel volunteers, and a Welsh Ambulance Service Barry First Responder.

He also volunteers for the Barry branch of the Royal British Legion, the Tall Ships Youth Trust, and with the Welsh Hearts charity as a Heartstart instructor.

The four, who said they were representing their respective voluntary organisations, enjoyed the day which saw them shocked to see Queen Elizabeth emerge to Star Wars music.

Mr Foley, a mortgage advisor by profession, said: “This was a privilege that would never be forgotten.

“To be able to attend the garden party during the Queens 90th birthday festivities and also at the start of National Volunteers Week was an honour for me as a volunteer with several local community groups.

We joined close friends in London from the Barry Branch of the RBL Roy Goodwin and his wife Teresa, for the journey to the Palace, it was a strange feeling that ‘why me? Why am I going to the Palace?’

“You wouldn’t have realised we were at the Palace, we had a slow walk down through what could be described as a small well-presented park.”

But more surprises followed as the crowds lined up to greet the Queen.

Dad-of-three, Mr Foley added: “The band was playing the Princess Lea march from Star Wars and the Darth Vader theme when the Queen came out. We didn’t know why.”

Daughter Rachel, 19, said the experience had got off to a bizarre start when she had been shopping for her royal outfit.

Miss Foley said: “I bought the outfit specially. I went into Debenhams and the sales assistant was expecting that I’d say a wedding. I said “the Queen’s tea party” and she looked stunned. At the garden party I just loved the Darth Vader tune. You could feel everyone going ‘huh’? We were expecting something more official.”

Anyone interested in volunteering, can contact GVS on 01446 741706.