A CHURCH warden will be taking a trip to Buckingham Palace after receiving an invitation from the Queen.

Pat Probert, 77, of Bradenstoke, will be travelling to London on May 22 to attend a garden party at the palace.

The invitation was a surprise to the St Mary’s Church warden, who was nominated by a member of the congregation.

“I am very honoured, it’s not every day you get an invitation to Buckingham Palace,” she said.

“I’m not sure whether we actually get to meet the Queen,” she said.

“It is quite an event. I haven’t been to the palace before and I’m a Londoner.”

Pat, who has been the church warden for 15 years, was nominated for her work to keep the church going and her fundraising efforts.

“I was told it was for the charity work I do for the church but I am sure there are people in this village that have done more than me,” she said. “We have always got to raise funds for the church and we raise funds for an outside charity once a month. We did Diabetes UK last week.”

On May 25, there will be a concert at St Mary’s by the Kentwood Choir – half the money raised will go to Cancer Research UK and half will go towards the church window fund.

Pat will be taking her friend Susan Thompson to Buckingham Palace, where they will have tea in the garden and watch presentations by the Queen.

“We are a very lucky village. We have got tremendous support here and they all want to keep the church going,” said Pat.

“The village want to keep their church. That is what I am working for. I don’t want to see it close down.

“I just work as hard as I can, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it.

“I have had a very varied life but this is the icing on the cake.”

Pat was nominated in secret by a member of the congregation who wanted to remain anonymous.

“I did it because I wanted to say thank you to her for all the work she has done,” she said.

“She has done an awful lot for the church. The church needs a lot of money to run and she raises money for things like repairs and flowers.

“She also organises things for everybody. You name it, Pat does it.

“She is what I call a true Christian, she does the deed rather than talk about it.

“I just want the day to be so special for her.”

The congregation is hoping to arrange a memorable way to get Pat to London.

Anyone who can help should phone Adver reporter Emma Dunn on 01793 501797.