MEETING the Queen just once is an achievement for most people.

But Greetland man Maurice Oldroyd has had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty several times.

Mr Oldroyd, 70, has been in her presence at several functions , through his work with the British Amateur Rugby League Association in Huddersfield.

He is a founder member of the association and has served as chairman and chief executive.

Now he has retired but still sits on the BARLA committee.

Mr Oldroyd may be a Royal visit veteran, but he is still moved by the memory of one encounter with Her Majesty - when she opened BARLA's head offices at New North Parade in November 1990.

He said: "We asked the Queen to open the building and we were staggered and delighted when we were informed that she would perform the ceremony.

"It was a great honour to have the Queen come to Huddersfield, and we were really proud to say we brought her here."

Members of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment hoisted the Royal Standard over the BARLA head offices as the Queen's car arrived on November 30 1990.

She was received by the Mayor of Kirklees - Tom O'Donovan - who was also BARLA's development officer.

She then performed the opening ceremony for the new building and met founder members of BARLA.

These included Jack Clayton and Tom Keaveney, who is pictured meeting the Queen with Mr Oldroyd (front left) in the corridor of the BARLA building.

Mr Oldroyd was BARLA's national administrator at the time. He said: "It was a truly momentous occasion for myself and BARLA pioneers, as well as my late wife Mary, who was a true Royalist."

The then BARLA chairman Alan Gibb presented the Queen with a rugby ball for her grandsons William and Harry and then a special lunch was served.

Mr Oldroyd recalls that the meal was interrupted by an unexpected fire alarm - but the Royal visitor was not fazed.

He said: "The Queen calmly turned to our chairman and said, `Don't worry Mr Gibb, if it's anything serious they will get us out'.

"Her warmth and charm captivated all who had the pleasure of attending what I consider the most momentous occasion in the history of our sport."

The BARLA opening was the Queen's third visit to Huddersfield. The first was on July 26, 1949, the second on October 14, 1971, when the Queen opened both Scammonden Water and the Yorkshire-Lancashire section of the M62.