Outgoing West Devon mayor Cllr Mike Davies attended a Buckingham Palace garden party last week in one of the final engagements of his year in office.

Mike and his wife Justine donned their finery to make the trip to the Queen’s London home on Wednesday last week (May 15).

Mike, also current president of Okehampton Rotary Club, said the day at the capital’s most famous address had made him ‘proud to be British and a royalist’.

‘I’ve never been before,’ he said. ‘It was absolutely fantastic, an awesome experience. The weather was fantastic and we had plenty of food and teas and iced coffees.

‘I couldn’t believe how big the gardens are, they just go on and on and they are absolutely immaculate. There was not a single weed on the lawn.’

Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Princess Anne represented the Queen.

Steve and Cathy Hipsey from Tavistock also attended the garden party, Steve having been nominated for his work with environmental group Tidy Tavi over more than seven years.

He said: ‘It was a lovely honour just to be there and see the grounds and inside the palace, which is something you don’t get to do every day. It was fantastic, and the weather was superb.’

Also guests were Ian and Bronwen Samuel of the Gilead Foundations in Jacobstowe.

The Samuels founded the centre offering supported accommodation for people with addiction problems at Risdon Farm more than 30 years ago and run it to this day.

‘It was amazing, such a privilege,’ said Bronwen.

‘We were a bit disappointed that the Queen wasn’t able to be there but it was great nonetheless.’