Back at the 'Big House'
Whilst the traveling staff where away in Balmoral back at the 'Big House' (Buckingham Palace) the rest of the folks had to make do with reduced numbers. Before the summer openings this was a very quiet time of year.
One post that could give you cabin fever was out back in the garden. At the best of times it could challenge the most sedate officer. For those who liked contact with the public or more adventurous roles this was like a punishment posting. The art of survival was to be able to keep you mind occupied whilst being like a coiled spring waiting for the unforeseen to happen. Sometimes it did, often it didn't.
As with the front of the Palace facilities changed over time. Old timber police boxes where replaced with bomb and bullet proof posts. It was quite early in my Royalty Protection duties that I heard one action seeking officer comment after an hour on the garden post:
'I feel like a bloody Garden Gnome out there!'
This started a series of cartoons and sketches that appeared either on the noticeboards or more often in the garden post notebook diary. Not all the cartoons survived as the books were just scrap books to note information to each other and they were often filled with more doodles than important notes. I did rescue some which appear below.
Style changed and developed and they even became a feature in the department's magazine 'Hearsay' which won prizes for the best in-house police magazine. They show different attitudes taken by the officers on post. They often reflect thoughts and concerns about the changing face of policing and job security. This was the time when being settled at a police station or department was disliked, five years in one place was enough according to those up high, regardless to what knowledge would be lost. Those who wanted to move on found it just as hard.
I have started with my published stories from 'The Bino' which showcased the talents and different styles of many cartoonist within the department . "The Bino was conceived as an antidote to the tedium of duty when the court was away at Balmoral, before the advent of the Summer Opening..." Recalls it's creator Bill Hallworth ex-PC 280'R' "Looking back at The Bino, which actually achieved mentions in both the London and national press, I see that it was varied in its content, some of it being quite weak, but I remember I was very pleased when you agreed to contribute. It gave it credibility..."
These give a good overall feel to the different types of officer found in the Back at the Big House. These are followed by the few garden post cartoons taken from the notebook diaries.
One post that could give you cabin fever was out back in the garden. At the best of times it could challenge the most sedate officer. For those who liked contact with the public or more adventurous roles this was like a punishment posting. The art of survival was to be able to keep you mind occupied whilst being like a coiled spring waiting for the unforeseen to happen. Sometimes it did, often it didn't.
As with the front of the Palace facilities changed over time. Old timber police boxes where replaced with bomb and bullet proof posts. It was quite early in my Royalty Protection duties that I heard one action seeking officer comment after an hour on the garden post:
'I feel like a bloody Garden Gnome out there!'
This started a series of cartoons and sketches that appeared either on the noticeboards or more often in the garden post notebook diary. Not all the cartoons survived as the books were just scrap books to note information to each other and they were often filled with more doodles than important notes. I did rescue some which appear below.
Style changed and developed and they even became a feature in the department's magazine 'Hearsay' which won prizes for the best in-house police magazine. They show different attitudes taken by the officers on post. They often reflect thoughts and concerns about the changing face of policing and job security. This was the time when being settled at a police station or department was disliked, five years in one place was enough according to those up high, regardless to what knowledge would be lost. Those who wanted to move on found it just as hard.
I have started with my published stories from 'The Bino' which showcased the talents and different styles of many cartoonist within the department . "The Bino was conceived as an antidote to the tedium of duty when the court was away at Balmoral, before the advent of the Summer Opening..." Recalls it's creator Bill Hallworth ex-PC 280'R' "Looking back at The Bino, which actually achieved mentions in both the London and national press, I see that it was varied in its content, some of it being quite weak, but I remember I was very pleased when you agreed to contribute. It gave it credibility..."
These give a good overall feel to the different types of officer found in the Back at the Big House. These are followed by the few garden post cartoons taken from the notebook diaries.
Sometimes it felt we could hardly produce enough officers to fill the posts. Many would turn up for duty although anyone else would have phoned in sick. It wasn't unheard of to work weeks without a day off. The duty sergeant once ran a competition to see who went the longest without having a day off sick. After a couple of years there were only 3 of us left. We were all given a box of chocolates for our dedication to the department. Within a day the number was just 2 after one of the winners ate all the chocolate at once and became ill...!
On one occasion few could get on parade. Shortly afterward the new Police Lodge was built HM the Queen attended a late turn parade. Needless to say the room was so full of the senior officers there was barely room left for the late turn to get in!
Night duty in the garden could be a challenge. Most nights you would have the odd Squaddie strolling about on the gravel. On one occasion the Gurkha Regiment were on duty, a huge honour for them and us. They were so professional even on night patrol they behaved impeccably. They did whoever take their duties very, very seriously. This cartoon is not far from the truth during one change over of the police patrols... (Note some of my cartoons were added to by other bored officers. The angry duck at Gnome's feet has been added.)
By way of contrast the time the Australian Army took a turn my imagination began to run riot. This is my preliminary sketch, the original is missing.
Constant policy changes sometimes made you think you were going mad...
Cartoons where not the only talent that found it's way into the diaries, there were poets out there too. Here I tried my hand at combining the both and is an ode to all those who didn't enjoy their hours watching the grass grow. (Note that duck again...)
This cartoon was done for a temporary post in Clarence House gardens during some renovation work. A gate onto The Mall needed manning for supplies to access the house. The post used a small brick built gardeners shed next to the gate and this cartoon was pinned up inside. Some years later my daughter was doing work experience in the Royal Gardens for a National Diploma in Horticulture course she was on. The cartoon was still pinned up!
A footnote to this was when I was interviewed for my BA Garden Design course at Hadlow College I was asked what gardening experience I had. I had none. My answer and sketches won me a place:
'I was a Garden Gnome at Buckingham Palace for 12 years...'
A footnote to this was when I was interviewed for my BA Garden Design course at Hadlow College I was asked what gardening experience I had. I had none. My answer and sketches won me a place:
'I was a Garden Gnome at Buckingham Palace for 12 years...'
© Alan Graham 2015