News

Press Release - 8 October 2007

BEN Hosts Evening Reception at St James's Palace

BEN, the Automotive Industry Charity, will be holding a private Evening Reception, at St James’s Palace, on Wednesday 14 November from 6.30pm-8.30pm.   Gerard Barclay, Chief Executive at BEN said, “BEN has been privileged over the past 40 years to have Princess Alexandra as its Patron and we are delighted that Her Royal Highness is be able to celebrate this auspicious occasion with us”.

Champagne and canapés will be served in the magnificent Queen Anne Room and guests will have the unique opportunity to tour the State Apartments.

Built largely between 1531 and 1535, St James’s Palace was a residence of kings and queens of England for over 300 years.  It remains the official residence of the Sovereign, although, since the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837, the Sovereign has lived at Buckingham Palace.

The Palace was built by Henry VIII on the site of the Hospital of St James, Westminster.   Much survives of the red-brick building erected by Henry VIII, including the Chapel Royal, the gatehouse, some turrets and two surviving Tudor rooms in the State Apartments.

Today, St James’s Palace remains a busy working Palace.  The State Apartments are sometimes used for entertaining during in-coming State Visits, as well as for other ceremonial and formal occasions.   However, it is not open to the public.

There are a limited number of tickets still available and these can be purchased, for £100 per ticket, directly from BEN by contacting Jane Slaughter on 01344  294755 or by email jane.slaughter@ben.org.uk

Further information:
Lorna Russell, Media Relations Officer, BEN
T: 01344 294765 M: 07920 138187 Fax 01344 622042
lorna.russell@ben.org.uk

Editors’ Notes
BEN is the Automotive Industry Charity, the only occupational charity for those who work or have worked in the automotive and related industries. Founded in 1905, the Charity provides practical help, support, advice and friendship to more than 15,000 men and women and their families every year. In addition BEN provides a home to over 350 individuals who reside in one of its four residential centres in the UK and offers day care facilities at its centre in Coventry.
Website: www.ben.org.uk