Fast Alloys Ltd

On the 20th March 2006 we were notified by the Queens Award office that a Queens Award for Enterprise in the International Trade Category was to be conferred on Fastalloys Ltd. All of the staff, directors and employees, shared the same feelings of enormous pride and honour.

 

David and Lynne Wood being presented The Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade by Dr Ingrid Roscoe F.S.A Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire

 

‘Once in a lifetime’ meeting Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family

On Monday the 10th July 06 at 5.30pm Paul Massey our general manager, David and myself were invited into Buckingham Palace to meet Her Majesty The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Norfolk, Princess Alexandria and Ladies in waiting.

Whilst waiting to enter Buckingham Palace, other people walking past were definitely trying to work out which group of showbiz characters we were.

Then the big moment, police officers opened the palace gates, asked for our passes and invited us in. The scrunch of the gravel underfoot as we leisurely walked across the courtyard was superb. We went under an archway into a large courtyard and entered the palace up several steps and through large double doors.

I am sure this was where President George. W. Bush was greeted and photographed during his visit to the UK 3 or 4 years ago. Along with other Queens Award winners we were led into 2 large reception rooms and generously supplied with canapés, orange juice and champagne.

We were on the first floor with open French windows leading onto small balconies overlooking a large lawn at the back of the palace. The temptation to step onto the balcony with champagne in hand was irresistible.

This was the first of many times during the evening that I experienced combined feelings of, “This can’t really be happening’, ‘Yes it is’ and ‘I think we will do this again”. I then , of course, realised that no I possibly wouldn’t be doing this again.

After probably 30 minutes of very pleasant canapés and champagne the big moment arrived.
Large doors opened, and there in an adjoining room no more than 30 yards away, Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip stood. Absolutely regal, it sounds silly but you can see why The Queen is The Queen. In turn, we were introduced, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. The Duke of Edinburgh asked about our business and thanked us for our contribution to British exporting.

When everyone had met the Queen and Prince Philip, they along with the other members of the Royal Family mingled freely and asked questions of the different businesses represented there. Things that particularly struck me, were the Royal Family’s ‘normalness’ for want of a better word and their sense of humour.

So after 2 ½ hours of being in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, it was time to return to reality. Finally, to anyone thinking of entering for a Queens Award, we can strongly recommend it. Apart from the obvious, and not so obvious, business advantages it has brought. You will experience things that will stay with you for a lifetime. What a day!