It was a busy time at Buckingham Palace last week! While most eyes were on the Coronation, King Charles also hosted a special Coronation garden party for everyone who was granted Queen’s awards on the honours list last year.

You may recall that our Head of Technology and Head of Cricket Mr. Andy McCrea, was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to cricket and young people in Northern Ireland. This is a much deserved recognition for over 30 years of service as a cricket coach, tutor and assessor with Templepatrick Cricket Club, The Northern Cricket Union and Cricket Ireland as well as his work here with school cricket at the College. Mr McCrea attended an award ceremony last October, where he received his medal at Hillsborough Castle from the Lord Lieutenant of Co. Antrim.

Mr. McCrea and his wife were delighted to attend the garden party last Wednesday where around 2000 guests were hosted by the King and Queen. Special guests were in attendance too, Mr. McCrea spotted Lionel Ritchie in the crowd!

‘We enjoyed meeting people and walking around the back lawn and beautiful gardens at the Palace. It was a lovely, bright, sunny afternoon’. Mr McCrea added, ‘Really special moments included when the Palace gates opened and we were invited to walk though, and when the brass bands played the National Anthem, signalling that the King had arrived on the Palace steps and the celebrations could get underway. It was a very special day, and we felt very honoured to be there’.

Many congratulations to Mr. McCrea!