AN OKEHAMPTON youngster is one of the chosen few to be invited to Buckingham Palace to take tea in the Queen?s residence as she marks this, her 80th year. Joshua Bickley, 10, who attends Shebbear College received his invitation to the Party at the Palace event on Sunday, June 25, in the post last week. Joshua will take his friend Jack Benson, who attends Okehampton Primary School and will attend the tea party accompanied by dad John. The BBC children?s television programmes Newsround and Blue Peter encourage children to visit their website and enter their names for a chance to attend the party at the palace. Hundreds of children from all around the country have been chosen to attend the event. As well the invitation to the palace, the family have also been given a free travel pass for London for the weekend and a free trip on the London Eye. The children?s party will have a book characters theme celebrating British children?s literature with the gardens of the palace being transformed into one big wonderland. Following a picnic tea on the royal lawn, entertainment will be provided with a unique play featuring many of the youngsters? favourite book characters. Joshua?s mother Kay said her son felt ?very privileged? to have been chosen and was looking forward to visiting the palace.
