FOUR lucky community champions from Alva were treated to an audience with the King last week at the Royal Garden Party.

The quartet, made up of Alison Scobbie, Donna Harrison, Kirsty Ryles and Mary Laing, all make up part of the Alva Development Trust.

They were granted an invitation to the Royal Garden Party, held at Holyrood House, following being awarded with the King’s Award in November.

Mary, who also serves as the chairperson of the Alva DT, reported back that the group were honoured to take part in such a historic event.

“It was a lovely day,” she told the Advertiser. “The King and Queen were there and it was so nice to see him looking so well after his recent health problems.

“We had a lovely day and it was so nice to be recognised for winning our award and it was such a nice day out.”

Garden parties are held regularly by the monarchy at Holyrood House, with lucky community champions and pillars invited along to spend the day with royalty.

The Alva DT were awarded their King’s Award in November for exemplary contributions to charity, joining 19 other charities, enterprises and voluntary groups in Scotland to win the award in 2023.

They headed to Holyrood House for the day, held on Tuesday, July 2, alongside Lord Lieutenant Johnny Stewart, who is well known to the group.

Once they got there, they were treated to various bands performing all kinds of music including pipe, swing and brass bands.

“Everything is so well organised there,” Mary continued. “It was so nice when the Royal party came out to meet everyone in the crowd.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we all had a great day out and it was lovely to be recognised.

“It was so nice to see so many people be recognised for the work going on and it shows how much good work goes on across the country.”