A Bassetlaw councillor attended a recent Buckingham Palace Garden Party, to which only people in public service are invited, as the Council’s annually selected member.

Cllr Lynne Schuller, cabinet member for housing and estates, who represents Harworth and Bircotes ward, said that attending the event was an honour, and was 'one of the highlights of officialdom, with recognition of the work that you are doing'.

As an elected official, she said, along with the support that you receive from many, you can face much criticism for actions both real and imagined.

Cllr Schuller explained: "You attempt to fulfil a role in society by being a local councillor. It's not well paid work, and you are on call most of the time. It's not actually something that many people are prepared to do."

Cllr Lynne Schuller with husband Robert, at Buckingham Palace.

placeholder image — Cllr Lynne Schuller with husband Robert, at Buckingham Palace.

She and her husband Robert enjoyed the 'extremely well organised' garden party, that had strict protocols but a ‘lovely atmosphere from start to finish’.

"We didn't manage to speak to the King, who was there with Queen Camilla, but he did move among the crowd and the reason we didn't get close was because we positioned ourselves wrongly,” said Cllr Schuller.

"However, 'Judge' Robert Rinder did walk past me. I looked up and automatically said hello, to which he stopped and replied, 'hello lovely'. I am a fan, and thought his response spoke volumes about the kind of person he is."

The event is held in gardens to the rear of the palace and you can walk around them freely. A band was playing as you walked in and another played continually by the lake, she continued.

Cllr Schuller spoke to 'Judge' Rob Rinder at the London garden party.

A retired nurse, Cllr Schuller has two children and three grandsons. She has been a councillor since 2018.

She said: "The role involves more than I expected initially but I enjoy the work and will always try to do the best I can.

"I feel I'm giving something back and keeping my head in the game. We all feel better when we help others. You can't get everything right but councillors attend meetings to try and improve services and give support to those people who need it”.

One issue she says is raised consistently in her local area, and about which she has mounting concern, is education, as local schools are over subscribed.

One of Cllr Schuller's photographs of the prestigious event.

With more new homes being built in and around Harworth and Bircotes, there is increasing demand on services.

She said: "I have written to the Director of Education to find out what happening as there is Section 106 money available, and original plans included two new schools to cater for new residents in Simpson Park and Lancaster Gardens.

"Later it was decided that Serlby Park would be made in to a 'super school' instead, but nothing has come to fruition as yet and I believe it will be next year before expansion is due to start.

"We have been waiting for a new school since 2017 and the situation has become more difficult as more families move in, in some cases on the strength of the promised infrastructure.

"Some people are now choosing to move away as they don't want to wait any longer."

"I will continue to represent local people on this issue as best I can."