JOHN Lek is helping organise an event to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday but it is not the first time he has been involved with a royal landmark.

Mr Lek, who is part of the organising committee of an event in Drybrook, reckons he was probably the youngest person involved in preparations for the Coronation.

As a 15-year-old apprentice in 1953 he helped put up the scaffolding around Westminster Abbey which supported the seating and decoration of the abbey.

He said: “We got to see all the dignitaries including Prince Phillip and the Duke of Norfolk (who organised the Coronation).

“We had a railway down the middle of the abbey to move materials and Prince Phillip and Duke had a ride on it – we pushed them along the railway.

“I went all over the abbey and I was able to touch the ceiling.”

There was also a heart-stopping moment when he thought he might have smashed one of the windows in the iconic building.

“I had some tubing and it fell. There was a tinkle and I thought one of the windows had gone.

“Fortunately it was just some of the other material.”

Mr Lek, who now lives in Buckshaft, Cinderford, moved to the Forest to take up a job at the Rank Xerox factory in Mit­cheldean.

The event at Drybrook Rugby Club on June 4 will raise funds for the armed forces charities: the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

It will feature fun, games and displays from 11am until 5pm and an evening of music from 7pm until 11pm.

Mr Lek said: “We are being helped to organise it by some younger people from the rugby club which is brilliant.”