Royal honour for British Legion chairman

Michael Turner and his wife Edith, 79, will be attending the Patron’s Lunch event at Pall Mall, London, on Sunday to mark Her Majesty’s 90th.The pair will represent the Royal British Legion in Lancashire.Michael, 81, of Penwortham, said: “I have been the chairman of the Royal British Legion, Lostock Hall, for more than 30 years and have organised the Poppy Appeal for the area.“Members had to choose a candidate to attend and I was selected to represent Lancashire, which is a huge honour. I believe my wife and I are the only guests from the area. I am absolutely overwhelmed and I can’t wait to go. This event won’t happen again. I am looking forward to seeing the Queen and meeting a lot of interesting people.”This would not be the first time the grandfather-of-two, who used to work at Schwan’s, in Leyland, has met Queen Elizabeth, as he was invited to Buckingham Palace in 2008.He said: “I had been invited to represent the Royal British Legion at a garden party eight years ago. It was a marvellous day out. I saw the Queen then and I can’t wait to see her again.”The Patron’s Lunch is the first of its kind to be held at The Mall, in St James’s Park and will be the climax to a weekend of celebrations to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.Festivities will begin with a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow, followed by Trooping the Colour on Saturday and culminating in The Patron’s Lunch as the celebratory finale on the Sunday.The Mall in St James’s Park will be transformed for its largest ever street party to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations and recognising the un-relenting support and service the Monarch has given to the community over her 63 year reign. Her Majesty The Queen will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family.