22nd March 2012

DORCHESTER: Sir Roger wears new tie to meet the Queen

By Trevor Bevins

Dorchester-educated Sir Roger Gale MP has been knighted by The Queen at Buckingham Palace- wearing his Old Hardyeans tie.

Having been named in the New Year’s honours list, Sir Roger was dubbed a Knight in the traditional way, by the Queen with a tap on each shoulder with a sword. He then received the Knight Bachelor’s insignia.

Educated at Hardye’s School, Dorchester, from 1955 and 1962, Sir Roger hosted the Old Hardyeans London Dinner at the House of Commons last October.

Observing that Sir Roger has posted many pictures on his website, Michel Hooper-Immins, President of the Old Hardyeans, remarked that none included the club’s distinctive blue and gold tie. The President went on to present the veteran MP with an Old Hardyeans tie, as a thank you for his hospitality at the House of Commons.

This was the tie Sir Roger Gale wore at the investiture.

“When I was first elected as an MP in 1983, my former Housemaster J.O. [Jo] Roberts from Heathcote House, asked me to wear my Old Hardyeans tie for the State Opening of Parliament,” said Sir Roger.

“I did so and on Wednesday, I wore the updated version - presented to me by Michel Hooper-Immins - for my investiture at Buckingham Palace. I think that Jo Roberts would secretly have been rather pleased to know ‘the tie’ had made it to Buck House.”

Sir Roger added: “The investiture was a truly awe-inspiring occasion. The staff of the Royal Household really do go the extra mile to make sure that all of the recipients of honours - and their families - are relaxed and able to enjoy the sense of occasion.

“Her Majesty asked me how long I had been a Member of Parliament and when I replied ‘nearly 29 years,’ I could not help thinking that this year her own public service will have spanned more than twice that amount of time.”

Old Hardyeans President Michel Hooper-Immins said: “We are very proud that Sir Roger wore his treasured Old Hardyeans tie at his investiture, which will have been seen and noted by The Queen as he was dubbed a Knight on Wednesday.

“We congratulate him on this well-deserved accolade. It is splendid that he remembered his schooldays at Hardye’s School by wearing the club tie.

“We had thought Sir Roger had become the first Old Hardyean to be knighted, but he is in fact the second. We believe Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Wrisberg KBE, President in 1980, was the first Old Hardyean to be knighted.”

PICTURE: Sir Roger Gale MP, wearing the distinctive Old Hardyean’s tie, and Lady Gale stand in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace