BEDS & HERTS ACF - Making it's mark at No. 10!

Sergeant Major Instructor Nikki Burgoyne of Number 5 Company, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Army Cadet Force visited Number 10 Downing Street to attend the Arms Day Reception.

Patrick Hall MP for Bedford and Kempston requested Nikki to escort him and Mr Fred Pike (Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment Veteran) to the reception hosted by Mr and Mrs Brown.

(L-R) Mr Fred Pike | SMI N. Burgoyne | Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP | Mr. Patrick Hall MP

The day started with Fred and I being given a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament, including the House of Commons, followed by refreshments with Mr Hall and his staff. A short walk to Downing Street followed with us being ushered through the crowds of tourists at the gates and through security to the famous door of Number 10! The policeman on duty, which we see so often on the news, was only too happy to take a photo of us at the door, and then we were allowed through. We were then shown through to the garden, where refreshments and chit chat commenced! It was only while looking around at the flowers in the garden that I noticed Mr Brown sitting on his terrace.

After speaking to the other guests at the reception, I was ushered to an informal queue that had appeared from no where, and Mr Hall put me at the front – then, Mr Brown appeared and it was only then that I realised that the queue was for people that were to meet Mr Brown personally, and I was at the front of it! As I composed myself and readjusted my uniform, Mr Brown approached as if in slow motion – I managed to string a sentence together and introduced myself and spoke of the Army Cadet Force. Mr Brown thanked me and all the other Instructors of the ACF for what we all do for the youth of our areas, and urged us to keep up the good work!

Mr Brown then moved down the queue, and I started to relax, when Mr Hall had managed to set up another meeting for me with Mrs Sarah Brown! I again explained the role of the ACF and cameras appeared and took many photos, I felt like I had become famous in a matter of minutes – but of course, they were not necessarily interested in me, I was with the Prime Ministers Wife after all!
After these meetings with the Prime Minister and his Wife, I thought it would be safe to relax and have a glass of wine – how wrong could I have been. A tap on the shoulder later, and Mr Hall had managed to arrange Mr Quentin Davies MP (Minister for Defence Equipment and Support) to speak with me, and I had only a second to compose myself once more! Bearing in mind, I was in full Number 2 dress, on a hot summer’s day, in the garden of the Prime Minister, I was very hot by this point, and had to ensure I didn’t represent the ACF as a ‘sweaty’ organisation, I wiped my brow and again spoke of the ACF and he seemed quite impressed!

Having circulated amongst the VIPs and other guests, I was able to have a tour around the house, and was very impressed by the things I saw – the breakfast room where the Browns and Obamas ate, the ‘Pillar Room’ with the Chippendale chairs and the very impressive Cabinet Room!
After a very enjoyable day, we left Downing Street and I was very grateful to get into a car with air conditioning!

SMI N. Burgoyne
5 Coy | Beds & Herts ACF