THEY have dined with the Queen Mother, met members of the royal family, talked politics with Margaret Thatcher and been guests in the royal box at centre court Wimbledon.

But these days Allan and Jan Jones enjoy a simpler life in the Southern Highlands, volunteering for community groups and dabbling in games of bridge.

Mr Jones is the former mayor of Wimbledon, a leader of the Wimbledon Council for seven years and the longest serving Wimbledon councillor, committing 42 years to the English community.

Mrs Jones served for 22 years as a Wimbledon councillor.

But even they find it “a little surreal” as they reflect on their life in the limelight.

Mr Jones said he had always had political interests, so becoming a part of the 60-member strong Wimbledon Council seemed a natural progression.

“I started on council in 1960 and continued until 2002, when we moved to Australia,” he said.

He achieved an unprecedented record of service on the council and was honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Wimbledon scroll on retirement. The scroll had been handed out on only three other occasions.

Mr Jones considered his two greatest achievements on council included being elected by his peers for seven years as their leader, and the honour of two years as Wimbledon mayor.

“As council leader I was given the ultimate responsibility of caring for the well-being of the Wimbledon community, managing a huge budget many million pounds each year,” he said.

“I also frequently spent time in (British) parliament and talked politics with [former Prime Minister] Margaret Thatcher.”

Mr Jones said his mayoral position was more ceremonial as he was first citizen of Wimbledon.

The couple were invited to Buckingham Palace for a royal garden party on two occasions and were guests of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Association in the royal box on centre court for the annual tennis tournament.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, July 18

jackie.meyers@ruralpress.com