As day was breaking, 51 members of The Badsey Society made their way to The Wheatsheaf to catch the coach that was taking us on a trip to London. We were on our way to the Houses of Parliament (or the Palace of Westminster as it is more correctly known). Shirley Tutton had spent some time at the end of last year liaising with Lucy Lermer, Office Manager for our MP, Nigel Huddleston, about a possible trip. Free MP-sponsored guided tours are available for UK residents booked via the MP’s office but can only be booked three months ahead. We offered a choice of dates in March and were fortunate to be allocated a time slot for one group at 11 am and for a second group at 11.10 am on Wednesday 11th March.
We arrived at the Palace of Westminster just in time to be met by Nigel who had come to greet us. He said it was the largest tour group that he had had. The meeting place was the huge medieval Westminster Hall, which is the oldest surviving building within the Palace of Westminster. Just five days earlier Nigel had come to talk to the Society about his life as an MP and gave us some interesting facts about the Palace of Westminster, which was an excellent warm-up for our visit.
Then it was time to set off on our tours. Photos were allowed in Westminster Hall and the neighbouring St Stephen’s Hall but, after that, all cameras had to be put away.
One of the highlights was seeing the Speaker’s procession. As it was a Wednesday, Prime Minister’s Questions was due to start at 12 noon, so our guide took us to the Central Lobby where we would be able to see the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, arrive at 11.30. Before every sitting of the House, the Speaker leaves the Speaker's House inside the Palace of Westminster and heads for the Commons chamber. A cry of “Speaker!” announced his approach and the assembled crowd fell silent. This was followed by one of the policemen on duty shouting: "Hats off, Strangers!" Then, policemen in helmets and any members of the public wearing hats were required to remove their headgear as the procession passed. Sir Lindsay was accompanied by the Serjeant at Arms, carrying the Mace, and a doorkeeper, who walked ahead of the Speaker. Some members of the Speaker's staff followed behind. All too soon, the Speaker was gone on his journey to the Commons chamber. With all that is going on in the world at the moment, it is comforting to think that this piece of pageantry still takes place.
Another highlight was a visit to the Lords Chamber which is the most lavishly-decorated room in the Palace of Westminster. We noted the red leather benches, which contrasts with the green benches of the Commons Chamber, and recalled what Nigel had told us on Friday evening about the colours: Lambeth Bridge, which is closest to the Lords, is red in colour, whilst Westminster Bridge, which is closest to the Commons, is green in colour.
At the far end of the Chamber was the Royal Throne on a dais, where the monarch sits for the State Opening of Parliament. Some of our group thought they recognised a few peers who were wandering into the Chamber – notably Sir Norman Fowler, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Lord and Lady Arran.
After the tours, there was a chance for a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria, visit the gift shop and, for at least one person, to buy a postcard and post it in the House of Commons Post Office thus ensuring a House of Commons postmark.
After lunch, 44 people in the group then headed across the road to Westminster Abbey where Shirley had organised tours, whilst the rest of the party made alternative arrangements. The group reassembled at the coach at 4 pm after a tiring but excellent day out.
Many thanks to Shirley for organising yet another superb trip. And with thanks to Wendy Chapman for the above photos, all taken during our meeting with Nigel in Westminster Hall.
More photos of the Parliament and Westminster Abbey trips may be seen by clicking on the images below.
