Marketors visit to Royal Ascot Wednesday 19 June

It was perfect weather in the beautiful grounds of Englemere Wood at Ascot for over forty Marketors and guests to park and picnic together elegantly prior to Her Majesty the Queen’s arrival at the racecourse.  The inclement weather was obviously averted by the fact that my Consort and I had erected our own large marquee, replete with a large banner proclaiming that the Marketors were present! 
Englemere Wood, a short walk from the racecourse, is the lovely home of one of my alumni group who studied for our MBA at Henley Management College some years ago. We still get together there for Henley Regatta but this year it was the racing that lured us all to Ascot and the gracious hospitality of our hosts.  Liveryman Brian Smith, well known in racing circles, kindly provided us with tips as to how to bet and win.  Later in the afternoon his wife, Valerie, provided us all with a wonderful cream tea. The Grandstand was packed and the racing great fun.  Her Majesty the Queen, not accompanied this year by Prince Philip, arrived appropriately by carriage promptly at two o’clock and we all agreed that the atmosphere was wonderful in the glorious afternoon sunshine.  Winning was second place to the fun and fellowship that we all experienced. 

One extraordinary aspect of the day was to be eating our picnic surrounded by a fantastic array of rhododendrons, never knowingly in bloom in mid June and certainly not for Ascot!