Hartlepool Scout leaders get invite to Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace

Eight-year-old Isla Beach, who attends West Park Cubs, part of the Ninth Hartlepool Scout Group, wrote to The Queen last summer saying she felt Akela Mark Anderson and St Luke’s Beaver Leader Louise Moriarty were deserving of special recognition for the work they do.

Soon afterwards, one of the Her Majesty’s ladies in waiting replied to Isla to thank her for her letter and told her they had passed on Isla’s request to the Queen’s representative for area, Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon.

When she heard nothing more by Christmas, Isla wrote to Mrs Snowdon. Her determination paid off when Mrs Snowdon wrote back to her and Mark received a telephone call from her office inviting him and Louise to a royal garden party in May.

Mark, 55, said: “Isla wrote to The Queen saying what a wonderful job Louise and myself did with the group and felt we deserved an award.

“I think she just really appreciated all the effort and activities we put on and the camps.

“She had almost given up which is why she wrote another letter to the Lord Lieutenant and they acted on it which is fantastic.”

The Queen hosts three garden parties at Buckingham Palace every summer to recognise and reward public service.

At each one around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed.

Buckingham Palace said: “Garden Parties are an important way for The Queen to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.”

Mark has been involved with the Scout group for five years while Louise’s involvement stretches back 17 years.

He added: “I’m very excited to be invited. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to go down to Buckingham Palace and hopefully meet The Queen.”

Mark said the group focuses on offering exciting activities to youngsters including trips to Teesside Airport, Hartlepool Power Station and traditional camping.