Royal visit for Lees couple

An unassuming couple who dedicate their spare time to charity fundraising, have met and shared The King’s company at a Royal garden party.

Stuart and Sue Collinge, who own Lees village Service Station, dedicate  their spare time supporting  a host of well-founded charities including sponsoring guide dogs.

In addition they sell honey from a local source with £1 from every jar going  to Dr Kershaw's and  crafts by  local people, sponsor a local  community wardrobe and are hosting  a sponsorship car show at Scouthead later in the year.

Revealing details of their Royal visit, Sue told me: "We stood for about an hour at Buckingham Palace and the King came down a line toward us.

 “And we were fortunate enough, we were stood there and he spoke to a naval officer at the side of us and his wife, two ladies in front, he shook their hand.

“And  then he popped his hand through and shook my husband's hand much to his absolute shock. He was in awe, in absolute awe, and he asked him where he was from.

“Stuart said, well, I've come along with my wife for the community work that we do. So then the King came to me and shook my hand and asked what we did, and then I told him, and as he was walking away, he just said: "Excellent, keep up the good work.”

And Sue talked to me with deep affection about the loss of her father, Frank, a local legend, who died a few years ago.

“The community got me through those very, very dark, sad days. Yes. And, you know, if we can give something back to that community and thanks, that is what is important.

“I had a ring made with some of his ashes in it and the hand that the King  shook was the hand that I wore the ring on. So Frank, my dad,  even got involved in shaking the King’s hand,” she added.