The posh frock comes out once again

It's been a long time since I was nominated for anything, and I remember it well. In 1990 I was nominated to attend the Women of the Year Luncheon at the Savoy Hotel, in recognition of the work I did in promoting women in transport, through the Lady Truckers Club, of which I was the founder member.

I was amazed when I received an invitation, and couldn't think who had nominated me. I later found out that it was Edwina Currie, who I had met when she came to a Lady Truckers dinner dance which I organised.

I was immensley proud to attend this prestigious event at The Savoy, as the invitations were sent to women who had reached the top of their profession, and I felt honoured to be one of them. The day was magical. I arrived at 11am in my friends transit van, and we were greeted by a red carpet specially laid, security hovering around, and lots of press waiting to snap the stars. Alas, they did not snap me, a lorry driver in a transit van. Once again I wore my posh frock.

Inside I was given a guest list and seating plan, and ushered into a large reception room, with waiters flitting around with trays of drinks. It was like a dream, there were people there that I had seen on television, and to think I was mingling amongst them.

The time came for the guest of honour to enter the room, everyone stepped aside when the door opened, and left a clear path for her to walk through. My heart was thumping in my chest. I prayed that she might stop and speak to me, as she got closer I held my breath. She was truly the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen, far better than her photographs. She spoke to the lady standing next to me, then.......she crossed over to the other side and missed me, oh dear :o( I was so close to her Royal Highness Diana the Princess of Wales, a wonderful moment I will never forget.

The following year I received another invitation, whoopee, and the guest of honour was Sarah Fergusson, she didn't speak to me either. The year after I didn't get an invite, I thought, not to worry, twice is brilliant. But....the year after that in 1993, I did get invited again, wow, three times, how fab is that! The guest that time was Princess Margaret, and guess what, she did speak to me.

This is my ticket for that event, I have memorabilia from all three luncheons which I shall treasure for the rest of my life.

Now, getting in my time machine and zooming forward seventeen years, today I received a letter from North Lincolnshire Council. I have been nominated for an award for, guess what.....litter picking. Cool eh! I pick up rubbish and someone has noticed.

So, on the 23rd of November I shall be attending a special awards evening, with drinks and a buffet, and I will be introduced to local dignitaries. Another opportunity to wear my twenty year old posh frock ;0)