Community champion June's 'amazing' day out at Queen's garden party

Our Hereford store's wonderful community champion June Thurston had a day to remember at a Buckingham Palace garden party attended by the Queen.

June, who's worked at the store for 13 years, was nominated to go to the palace by Hereford City councillor Chris Chappell for her tireless work in the community.

She said she was "thrilled and honoured" to be there.

June said: "The letter inviting me came out of the blue – it was a wonderful surprise.

"I do a lot of work with the local Kindle Centre and I often see Chris Chappell there. He nominated me for my work in the community, which was lovely."

June, who took her daughter Samantha with her to the palace, said: "We never got to speak to the Queen but we did see her. There were thousands of people attending what was an amazing day. I am very grateful to have been nominated and invited.

"I have a real thing for Queen Victoria so it was lovely to see a massive portrait of her when she was younger – she was so beautiful. Seeing that made the day even more special."

"You're only invited to go to the Queen's garden party once – so it really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Asda Hereford's deputy manager Matt Lucas said June's invitation was richly deserved.

He said: "We are all very proud of June and all the good work she does in the community. She is such an asset to the store."