Toad Lane Concerts represented at Royal Garden Party

Dr Joe Dawson & Deborah Kay help out the Royal Archers at Holyroodhouse Palace

On Wednesday 29 June 2022, Toad Lane Concerts at St Mary in the Baum, was minus two of its regular members.

Far from being absent without leave however, series director Dr Joe Dawson and fellow volunteer Deborah Kay, were at the Royal Garden Party at Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh celebrating the concerts’ Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Toad Lane Concerts had been granted the award in June 2020, when restrictions were in place because of the Covid pandemic.

Dr Joe Dawson said: "We had become resigned to the possibility that a celebration was out of the question, when suddenly the Palace issued invitations this year to catch up."

Since 2001, over 990 weekly concerts have provided excellent classical music from local talent, such as young soloists and adult choirs, to professionals of the highest calibre, including international postgraduate music students.

On receipt of the award in 2020, Dr Joe Dawson said: “It is both gratifying and humbling that the concert series has been recognised by this award. It acknowledges nearly twenty years of consistently hard work and dedication of volunteers since taking over from the local authority. This enables audiences to appreciate excellent performers in this remarkable building.”
 

Read more: Toad Lane Concerts receives Queen's Award for Voluntary ServicePublished: 02 June 2020

Situated at the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace and its ancient abbey ruins are set in beautiful grounds dominated by the massive Arthur’s Seat mound.

HM Queen was at home, this being Her summer residence. However, the garden party itself was hosted by the next generation of Royals: HRH Prince Charles, (using one of his Scottish titles, The Duke of Rothesay), HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, (accompanied by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence), and HRH Prince Edward and Sophie, Earl and Countess of Essex and Forfar.

The Royal Company of Archers, (the Sovereign’s personal bodyguard in Scotland since 1822) silently and seamlessly marshalled the crowds surreptitiously and courteously into lines and positions to enable the 8,000 guests to meet and greet the Royal hosts or simply observe.

Dr Joe said: "On the day, the weather was kind, and the atmosphere genial and friendly and tingling with anticipation. Allegedly, some 15,000 cups of tea, 9,000 strawberry tartlets and 7,000 sandwiches were consumed during the afternoon between 3pm and 6pm. Entertainment was supplied by three military bands distributed around the grounds. It all conspired to provide a wonderful setting for a memorable occasion."