TWO long-serving volunteers have been invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of their work with young people.

Pam Barker, aged 63, from Weston Village, Runcorn, has been involved in scouting for 30 years.

Stan Potter, aged 60, from Halton View, Widnes, has volunteered with RAF cadets for 32 years.

They both work at Runcorn’s Heath Business and Technical Park.

Pam, a customer care manager, is assistant district commissioner in the Mersey Weaver district and holds the medal of merit in recognition of her commitment.

She started with 1st Halton cub scouts and moved to 6th Runcorn group where she has served as akela cub scout and assistant cub leader.

Pam, who will be travelling to London with her husband, James, said: “I’ve already got my hat. I’m just looking forward to the day and hopefully meeting the Queen.”

She is proud to promote scouting.

She added: “Scouting is as popular as ever. We are working to introduce new groups to accommodate all the young people who would like to join scouts but are currently having to wait for places.”

Stan, who started his career with ICI as a 16-year-old apprentice, is now an engineering manager.

He is a flight lieutenant in the RAF reserves and has been commanding officer of 310 squadron in Widnes since 1991.

Stan, who will be taking his wife, Marie, to meet the Queen, said: “My own two sons were cadets and, now in their 30s, we’ve seen how interested employers are in their experiences.

“In one interview, 10 minutes was spent discussing academic achievemenets and an an hour and a half talking about what he’d learnt through cadets.

“It can make a real difference to young people whose parents come along and say ‘ she is quite shy and retiring’ and perhaps not doing so well at school. Twelve months down the line, they’ve got a different child, more confident, more involved at school, a wider group of friends.”

John Lewis, managing director at SOG, which owns and operates The Heath, said: “An invite to the Queen’s garden party is great recognition of the contribution Pam has made to scouting over the years.

“Having also worked with us for 30 years, I can vouch for just how valuable a team member she is and I’m sure she is held in the same high regard by the many youngsters for whom she has been an influential figure.

“Stan is a key member of our team and many of our resident businesses at have benefited from his engineering expertise across some unique and highly specialised projects. His commitment to the air cadets over 32 years is astonishing and his invite to the garden party is richly deserved. We wish both Stan and Pam a very enjoyable day.”

For more information about scouting in the Mersey Weaver district, including Pam’s 6th Runcorn group, visit merseyweaverscouts.org.uk.

For more information on the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, including Stan’s 310 squadron, visit raf.mod.uk/aircadets.