Two men who spoke to Diana on her tour of Swadlincote in 1991 described the moment their paths crossed with the People's Princess.

Frank McArdle, now chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, shared a joke with the Princess during her visit to Gresley Old Hall to inspect its new bowling green.

She also spoke to managing director of pottery firm Mason Cash, John Perks, who presented her with a souvenir bowl which had been made by his company, in Swadlincote.

On the 20th anniversary of her death Mr McArdle and Mr Perks met at the Princess Diana Memorial Garden, off West Street, which became the scene of an outpouring of grief following her death.

Mr McArdle, who was head of legal and administration at the council at the time, remembered: "It was my honour to present John to the princess and this was done at Gresley Old Hall in the new bowls centre. It was a special day because she was presented with something made in Swadlincote."

Mr Perks continued: "Mason Cash had been asked to make a run of commemorative pots. It was a small white dish with a logo inside commemorating the occasion, and was given as a gift to people who attended a civic reception."

The Diana Memorial Garden
John Perks - Owner and MD of Mason Cash, Frank McArdleCheif Executive of South Derbyshire District Council and Richard Shaw at the construction area, that will be the new Princess Diana Memorial Garden.
Pictured at the Diana Memorial Garden is John Perks, managing director of Mason Cash, Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council and Richard Shaw at the construction area, that will be the new Princess Diana Memorial Garden.

One was also presented to the princess who later shared a joke with the two men.

Mr McArdle said: "She was very pleased to receive it but said her disappointment was that there was not one for her children, or for Prince Charles. Of course, what she didn’t know is we had about 200 of them made for the chairman’s charity to be sold when she had left.

"But we realised fairly quickly, as she was smiling, that this was her joke and we joined in and fessed up there were some more but she said was just joking. She said it in that lovely charming, disarming way and I felt a little special because of that. And I really pleased that something made in Swadlincote was something that she took back to Buckingham Palace."

Mr Perks added: "She was friendly. It was very crowded occasion but she still took time to talk to everyone.

"It felt special to represent all our workers. We had 80 people at the time."

The two men met at what has now become a memorial to Diana but was originally part of a dedication to her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981, formally opened by Princess Anne when she officially opened the adjacent Grove Hall. Ten years later, Diana visited the spot herself.

Mr McArdle said: "It was a day for Swadlincote to be seen in all its glory, crowds turned out in their thousands. She toured one or two sites and a special focus of attention was the garden dedicated to the marriage of her and Charles in 1981.

"During her visit she visited the garden and dug a hole to plant a tree in her honour. The spade she used is in the council’s reception along with a signed photograph.

"And then on the very sad occasion of her passing the tree amazingly died very rapidly after her death, within days, and we replaced that and have tried to respect the monument."

More than £90,000 is now being spent to revamp the memorial which was covered in the flowers in the days following her death.

Anyone who may still have the commemorative dish given out at the time are asked to call Helen Kreft on 01283 245032 or email helen.kreft@burtonmail.co.uk

Looking for a job? There are thousands available at www.Fish4.co.uk