New Years Honour Presentation and Royal Garden Party.

In the last blog post here, I announced that I had been included in the NEW YEARS HONOURS LIST 2025 and had accepted an invitation to receive a BEM (British Empire Medal) as co-founder of The Avon Roach Project, and services to angling.

I rounded up with the threat that I would be posting a shed-load of pictures of the subsequent associated events including the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. However, being a very personal story and not broadly about the Avon Roach Project it has made me uneasy with this gratuitous trumpet blowing, hence the delay in posting this. That said, the antidote to this has been the fact that this is as much about Budgie and the recognition of the achievements of the Avon Roach Project as me, which has straightened the path slightly and helped unblock an uncharacteristic modest reticence. And, besides, this doesn’t happen to many and is a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment, and knowing Budg’ would have received it as well, I hope you’ll agree it adds a little validation to a bit of self-indulgent chest-beating.

Sadly, New Years Honours are not given posthumously, so I accepted mine on behalf of both Budgie and myself and as the initial enquiry was made as to whether Budgie and I were both available to receive it, as far as I’m concerned, he was with me all the way – hence my references throughout this post to ‘us.’

So, the following is an account of the most amazing honour that ordinary boys on our level rarely get to experience – and to see how many times I can crowbar ‘New Years Honour’ into a thousand words. And, whether you agree with all this kind of stuff or not - and we are all guilty of dismissive and contemptuous utterings, myself included - when your name is listed on the official published New Years Honours List, it is different, particularly as it could be argued that we have been honoured for a real achievement judged on real merit - in our case environmental stewardship and pioneering enterprise rarely recognised on such a level.

It went without question that Budgie’s wife, Rose, be asked to attend the presentation ceremony and Royal Garden Party with me which, of course, she would have done anyway with Budgie had he stayed with us. Thankfully, she was as keen as I.

The presentation of the medal took place on a cool March 17^th at a grand building in Winchester where I was accompanied by Rose and my brother, Kev.

My initial thought was to slip into one of my nice, smart, posh and expensive (in its day) suits I wore in my days in business, which ended up being quite an awakening as to just how long it is since I made such an effort. It was like squeezing a donkey into a pillowcase. The turnups and flairs also dated it slightly – just kidding. So, I treated myself to a lovely posh new suit, shirt, tie and shoes. It was, after all, a pretty special reason to splash out.

Six of us from Hampshire received the honour in a ceremony where the pomp and split-second organisation was amazing, and so very English. As the medal was placed, a short citation was read out to the room by a couple of very nervous, but keen, military cadets, after which each recipient was engaged in a short exchange of words where we all thanked the folks that had helped in our respective projects or undertakings and on whose behalf we were accepting the honour.

I, of course, filled my minutes with tearful choked praise and thanks to Budgie. And although he wasn’t there, it really did feel like I’d accepted the honour for both of us, for which I felt hugely privileged and deeply moved. From the first to the last moment, we were made to feel very special.

After the official and press photos and the post ceremony coffee and mingling; to celebrate, we had lunch in one of Budgie’s favourite pubs afterwards where I had Budgie’s favourite sticky toffee pudding, which he always used to joke, being type two insulin dependent diabetic, was his version of an extreme sport.

Attendance at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 7th was the next event connected to the honour, where every second of the day went like clockwork from getting my windsor knot tied correctly (nearly) first time to meeting up with my brother Kev and his other half, Sally, and my sister Marilyn and her daughter, Kelly, for lunch in St James’s Park – even nearly getting run over by Princess Ann on the way out of the Palace.

Although a day of bittersweet emotions, we knew Budgie wouldn’t have tolerated us using his absence as a reason not to get the most from the experience. So, we did but with him in our minds and hearts all day as we shared stories and smiled at the moments we knew he’d have been so non-pc and outrageously inappropriate, like asking the Palace catering staff for brown sauce or a can of Red Bull…

It was quite an experience being inside the huge black gates, by Royal invitation, where the camera shutters went into meltdown. Unfortunately, there was a ‘no medal’ request on the invitation, probably to avoid the inevitable bottleneck of photo opportunities against the Palace entrance, but also perhaps so none of us knew who was an OBE, BEM, CBE, MBE or Sir. For this day, we were all the same. There were, however, many medals in pockets, including mine, for a sneaky snap here and there.

We were directed through an entrance to the side of the Palace, passed armed guards, and into the immaculately kept garden at the rear of the vast building, and on to the catering marquee where, once again, the efficiency of the staff and coordination was faultless. And, I know we all joke about crustless cucumber sandwiches and peeled grapes but, honestly, the grub was on another level. Even the delicate little cakes looked like they’d been cut with a laser.  

There were two brass bands, one in each corner of the garden, which played alternate short sessions, and although not a fan of this kind of music with my experiences being only of the Salvation Army bands at Christmas (no disrespect to them) but the musicianship of these was simply extraordinary. I have never heard anything quite like it.

At just before three, the Yeomen of the Guard marched and stood to attention on the top of the steps at the rear entrance to the Palace from where the Royal Family would appear, which had the hair standing on the back of our necks, as they remained stock-still before marching down to line the avenue of guests where the Royal Family would walk. Then on the dot of three the bands played the national anthem as the royal family appeared and stood at the top of the steps before walking down to us in the garden.

From the first to the last moment I was bursting with pride (which hasn’t lessened even now). This stuff doesn’t happen to ordinary folks like us, so to be standing in the presence of King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Edward and Sophie at Buckingham Palace was a pinch myself moment and all because of the recognition of a project nobody could have imagined would be acclaimed on this level. 

Early May had us fearful of unsettled or perhaps damp or cool conditions, but the weather was perfect; not too hot and with lovely sunny spells all afternoon leaving no desire to shed my posh suit jacket or even loosen my tie. I was determined to stay as chiselled as James Bond until the last minute…

Even the exit and coordination of the taxis to the station and the journey home went like clockwork, apart from me stepping in front of Princess Anne’s car and making her wait while I crossed the road as the Royal Family cavalcade departed. I wonder what she might have said… Maybe – ‘Here, that’s that Trevor blokey from the Avon Roach Project. Oooohhh, I like his posh suit. Very dashing. As chiselled as James Bond, I reckon’… Or maybe not. I must admit that I needed half a fridge of beer later that evening to help me sleep. I was buzzing…

To be one of very few chosen over time connected to angling and environmental stewardship makes the award of this New Years Honour extra special. And although The Avon Roach Project itself is multi-award-winning and arguably a part of angling history, this ultimate personal recognition is the icing on the most extraordinary cake and is also a part of that same history, being as this is more than an annual achievement award or certificate of merit, but the ultimate personal honour with a lifelong impact. What a journey, and what an honour for us ordinary boys.   

Although still bristling with pride and fulfilment, I still can’t quite get used to putting BEM after my name – thinking all I’ll get is ‘Oooohhh hark at him showing off with letters after his name. Who does he think he is?’ Well, I guess, the answer to that is I know Budgie would have changed his email address to include BEM after his name at a second after midnight on the 1^st January 2025, and messaged every one of his contacts at two seconds after midnight, and would have had no hesitation in singing it loud and proud from the rooftops, even if only to piss off the naysayers and nonbelievers, so why shouldn’t I? Afterall, nobody thought we were showing off when came up with the laughable crazy concept, or when we were out in the freezing cold and ice banging spawning boards together or covering my back garden with huge tanks and conservatory with bubbling bottles of brine shrimps, or when I was dragging Budgie’s wheelchair out of axle-deep mud in -5C temperatures. So, who did we think we were then? Same as we do now - Two no-hopers with dreams only we could make come true; which we did.

Finally, and I know I have said it before, but I would have given everything I own to have shared the New Years Honour experience with Budgie, who deserves it more than me. Just to see that medal pinned on him and see that face light up and the explosion of pride and fulfilment would have meant the world and more than words could describe.

So, in memory of the most extraordinary geezer and bestest best mate in the whole wide world, without whom none of this Avon Roach Project and New Years Honour stuff would have happened, I dedicate this to the true force of nature that is Budgie Price BEM…

Bursting with pride (and disbelief at this point). On my lapel is a very special little roach badge. The only other time I have worn it was at Budgie’s funeral. I now keep it displayed with the medal at home.

For anyone interested (copied from the interweb) – ‘The British Empire Medal (BEM; formerly British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service) is a British and Commonwealth award for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. The current honour was created in 1922 to replace the original medal, which had been established in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire. Recipients of the BEM are entitled to use the post-nominal letters ‘BEM’ after their names.’

The British Empire Medal is the only one to carry the recipients name, which is engraved on the edge or rim.

From left to right – Kelly, Me BEM, Rose, Marilyn, Sally and Kev. We all met up and had a long and relaxed lunch where we could get the most from every moment of the day and share the amazing experience. Budgie was also with us in our hearts and minds.

Me and my Bruv and Sis… We all live just about far enough from each other to justify fairly infrequent get-togethers, and the last time we were together was when we were clearing Mum’s house following her passing, so now this replaces that ‘last time’ with something much nicer.

It really was special, and a little surreal, being inside the gates and in touching distance of this very imposing, world famous, iconic building – and by Royal invitation, no less.

As the attendees spread out, after we’d scoffed all the wonderful cakes and crustless cucumber sarnies, we got some pictures of us against the Palace in the garden. After all, not many get this privileged once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The pomp and ceremony, precision, and coordination, and very Englishness of it all was breathtaking, and very special to be a part of.

The atmosphere and sense of occasion was palpable as the hairs bristled on our necks as the call came to march down the steps and out onto the lawn.

As the National Anthem played, the King and Queen appeared from the Palace and stood before us. Quite a moment, I must admit. And I mean that from both a personal and general Avon Roach Project perspective, as I pondered the connection between the bonkers concept and ensuing madness, to the extraordinary success that has led to us being here.

They then joined us on the lawn where we just know Budgie would have derailed them an got their attention.

Followed shortly by the others; Princess Ann, Prince Edward, and Sophie.

Post sticky toffee pudding, we toasted Budgie, of course.

Wouldn’t this whole New Years Honour thing have made a fabulous final chapter to our Avon Roach Project book?

And here’s where it all started… the magic spawning boards funnelling the spawning activity into concentrated areas allowing some extraordinary detailed photography…and the study of territorial behaviour and spawning synchronicity never before recorded…

Pre-BEM, Budgie and me, sleeves up and debating the critical issues of the moment having just delivered thousands of roach into the Avon south of Salisbury.

We had some fun when first captioning this picture in an earlier blog with Budgie saying… ‘One thing. I ask you to do - one thing… Bring the f***in’ HobNobs, and you can’t even get that right…’

From the mud and mozzies and a bonkers idea to Buckingham Palace and a New Years Honour… Who could have imagined? Not us two, that’s for sure.