The world's media descends on Bucklebury
Photographers, TV crews and tourists from across the globe are in Bucklebury for the royal wedding tomorrow (Friday)
AS the world and his wife has begun to descend on Bucklebury to see where the future Queen of England grew up, Newburytoday.co.uk met some of the people who have travelled thousands of miles to come to visit this little corner of West Berkshire.
As you drive into the village you realise much has changed now there is a princess in its midst, not only is there bunting and Union Jacks on display but there are dozens of photographers, TV crews and tourists.
A group of photographers are camped outside the Middleton's home in Chapel Row, guarded by Metropolitan police officers, and if you had popped to the village Spar on Tuesday you would have been greeted by camera crews from all parts of the world, as well as a coach load of tourists from Australia and New Zealand.
The royal wedding has brought people from across the globe to this unassuming West Berkshire village, people like Mark Goodwin, tour guide for Australian tour operator Odyssey.
On Tuesday Mr Goodwin was in ‘Kate Middleton country' showing visitors the sights.
He said: "This morning we were at Sandhurst to see where Prince William went for his military training but they also wanted to see where Kate came from. We've just been to The Old Boot pub for lunch and now we're stopping at the local Spar for an ice cream before going to Bladebone Butchers.
"We've had a number of TV crews with us, including New Zealand One and Three and Australian network SBS. The newspaper The Australian is coming with us to Windsor tomorrow and The Times are writing a blog on our trip."
One of the tourists, Mary Money of Upper Hutt, New Zealand, was in London for the marriage of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
She said: "I had to come (to England) again because I was here for the previous royal wedding. It was a fabulous day. I remember running the route so I didn't miss anything. I really did have a great time."
Robert and Robyn West of Esperance in Western Australia are also delighted to have made the 9,000-mile trip.
"The royal wedding was the catalyst," said Mrs West. "I've always followed the royal family so we decided now was a good time to take the trip.
"It's hard to imagine what Bucklebury was going to be like. It's very different to Australia with its wide open spaces, there are lots of narrow roads and lanes here but it's beautiful."
Among the media in the village is German newspaper Bild, which is the best-selling tabloid in Europe.
Bild reporter Kristin Schulze was given the task of coming to England and finding a scoop on the royal wedding.
"When I was given the assignment about a month ago I hardly knew anything about the royal family," she said. "I knew a little about Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Princess Diana but I didn't know about the family history.
"I bought five books on Amazon about the monarchy and Kate Middleton and now I've become a fan.
"I think Bucklebury is a nice village. It's a place where princesses are made."
Those closer to home are also getting ready for the big day.
John Haley, owner of The Old Boot in Stanford Dingley, which is reported to be the Middletons' favourite pub, has been invited to the wedding.
"It was a surprise," he said. "I'll be staying in London the night before because the last thing I would want is to be stuck on the M4 on the morning of the wedding with an invitation in my hand.
"Then about 20 of us who are going to the wedding will be coming back to the pub for a party. We're expecting about 350 people."
Shaw author John Chapman will auction an original cartoon featuring the author's children's character Jonnie Rocket alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton at the party with proceeds going to The John Simmonds Trust.
The pub is also selling royal wedding top trumps for charity, featuring the Mr Haley himself.
The Cottage Inn in Upper Bucklebury has also been a hive of activity this week with the beer and ale tent going up in the pub garden as well as the world's media coming in for a quick chat and a pint.
Gavin Bush said: "The last two months there's been so many reporters here. We've had Slovakian, German and French TV today (Tuesday). I didn't know each country had so many TV stations.
"I would say less than half stick around for a drink and something to eat but when they do they're good company.
"We know that this kind of media spotlight doesn't happen everyday but we expected it and accept it."
Sarah Clay of the Bladebone pub in Chapel Row said the village is expecting hundreds for the party on the village green.
"We will have a champagne tent and a beer tent as well as duck racing on the village green," she said. "There will also be a hog roast starting at 8am, I guess people want pig for breakfast."
The pubs will be providing their own security for their events but the Neighbourhood Policing Team will also be patrolling the village on the day.
A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police Victoria Bartlett said: "Our Bucklebury and Compton Neighbourhood Policing Team will be in Bucklebury on Friday. They will be out and about in the village and visible to the public.
"We have had calls from the media informing us that they will be in Bucklebury but we're expecting mostly local media. We are anticipating some national media too but we don't know the scale.
"In terms of West Berkshire as a whole it's a bank holiday so it will be treated like any other bank holiday. Licensing hours will be open longer but the police are used to that.
"There will be other resources that can be called upon if needed."
Only six Thames Valley Police officers from the force's roads policing department have been requested to work in London during the royal wedding.
Click on the 'related links' to read other royal wedding stories on this website.
