GYMNASTICS coach John Grady said that collecting his MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace was one of the biggest days of his life.

Receiving the honour for voluntary services to disabled people in Jersey, Mr Grady was recognised for his contribution to the development of disabled gymnastics in the Island.

In 1991 he helped to form the Island’s only disabled gym club, Mont à l’Abbé, which is now called the Jersey Special Gymnastics Club. Since its inception the club has gone from strength to strength and now has gymnasts regularly competing for Great Britain. Last year two members featured in the Special Olympics.

Mr Grady, who was accompanied to Buckingham Palace by his wife, Janet, and daughters, Rebecca and Katie, said: ‘It was an early start but it was nice to tell the taxi driver to take us to the palace, please! It was one of the biggest days of my life, not necessarily the most exciting, but very grand. And it was such an honour to be in the palace.

‘I also really enjoyed meeting all the other award winners and finding out what they had done to get their award.’

Familiar faces at the investiture included Olympic gold medallists, boxer James DeGale and sailor Paul Goodison, but there was no special treatment for the stars, as Mr Grady explained that everyone was put through their paces to ensure that things ran smoothly.

‘We were told exactly what to do and how to address the Queen, so you were left in no doubt exactly where you walked, how you walked and how to bow,’ he said. ‘They also gave you reminders all the way through, which I think is so that no one embarrasses themselves and so that everyone can enjoy the occasion.’

When the moment came for Mr Grady to take centre stage he admitted to being ‘a bit shaky’, but once he had followed the instructions – walk level with the Queen, turn to face her, neck bow, walk towards her, get toes to touch raised area and stand until she puts the award on your lapel – he enjoyed a brief conversation with Her Majesty.

‘She asked me what I was involved with at the moment and I told her special gymnastics and working with a club for people with learning difficulties.

She seemed quite surprised and asked if that suited them, and I told her it did – very much so.’

• Picture: John Grady receiving his honour from the Queen and, right, with his wife, Janet, outside Buckingham Palace