Friday 23rd February 2007 Meeting the Queen
at the opening of the Richard Desmond Childrens Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital

The Griggs family with far right Bill Aylward who is Vicki's consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Standing in front of the plaque that The Queen has just unvield

My daughter Vicki has been a patient at Moorfields Eye Hospital since the age of four and was very privileged to be invited to the opening of the new Richard Desmond Childrens Eye Centre by her majesty The Queen.

Her majesty spent forty minutes touring the new hospital and stopped to talk to Vicki and my wife and I in the out patients department on the fourth floor. My wife told the Queen that Vicki, who is now sixteen, was now too old to visit the childrens centre but would love to come back and work as a play leader. The Queen asked Vicki if she had any experience and Vicki replied that she was studying child care at college.

That is all we can remember of the conversation, but it was an amazing experience for all three of us and it was quite a surreal moment when the queen walked up to us and shook our hands. Unfortunately there was nobody there to take a photograph but for Vicki it was an experience that will remain with her the rest of her life.

We were able to look around the new hospital and it is quite an amazing place and much needed, as the old childrens ward was very cramped and outdated. Vicki met up with many of the staff that she has got to know so well in her time at Moorfields. A special person to the three of us is Vicki's consultant Bill Aylward who has looked after Vicki so well over the years. 

Her Majesty the Queen about to open the Richard Desmond Childrens Eye Centre.

Friday 20th November 2009
My 65th birthday bash
I become an OAP

Back row  l to r. Julie & Dominic's daughter Sophie, My children Wayne & Vicki.
Front row l to r.  Julie Forsyth, Yours Truely, Dominic Grant, my wife Lynne

My birthday treat 27th November 2009
A trip to York behind brand new A1 locomotive "TORNADO"

Friday 27th November 2009.
"TORNADO" passes Arlesey
Lynne and I had just boarded at Stevenage.

"TORNADO" and me at York.