A retired bank manager who has been treasurer for a number of voluntary organisations in Keswick has attended a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Michael Bulman, 84, who worked at the Keswick branch of Barclays for 10 years, described the three-hour long event as being “an exquisite experience”. King Charles III was in attendance along with Queen Camilla and they mingled with the 8,000 guests on the lawns that are hidden from public view.
“It was a lovely warm spring day in London and all nations, creeds and religions were represented,” said Mr Bulman, who attended the party with his son Dr Jonathan Bulman, whom he took along as his invited guest. “We had a very nice tea and we were able to walk around the grounds of Buckingham Palace. The gardens were in pristine condition and two bands were playing. It was an exquisite experience.
“I got within an arm’s length of King Charles. He was surrounded by a ring of steel. Security was very tight with an army ring and police ring but it was generally all very nice and relaxed.”
Mr Bulman, who has lived in Keswick for 37 years and is a member of the town’s rotary club, has done a lot of voluntary work including being treasurer of the Friends of the Mary Hewetson Hospital for more than 27 years. He has also been treasurer for the Keswick Agricultural Society, Herdwick Sheepbreeders’ Association, Keswick Rugby Club and Keswick May Tup Fair. He was president of Keswick Agricultural Society in 2020.
One of his most high profile roles was in 2007 when he became the mouthpiece in a successful campaign to save Keswick Hospital from closure.
He said that he did not know what had been the prompt which had resulted in him receiving an invitation to the party from the Lord Lieutenant’s office in Cumbria.
“I worked in the town for 10 years, have lived here for 37 years and been treasurer for a lot of voluntary organisations. Whether it was for my time serving the community, I don’t know because you do not know who has put you forward.”
