Alison and Larry Garrad, now living in Bristol, were honoured for their lifelong dedication to supporting Lin Tai (‘Linny’) through Oxfordshire County Council’s Shared Lives Scheme, which helps adults with learning disabilities live within supportive family environments.

Their relationship with Linny began long before the scheme as she was fostered by Alison’s parents at just seven days old. Alison grew up as Linny’s ‘big sister’.

When Alison’s parents retired from caring in 2002, she and Larry stepped forward to ensure Linny could remain with the only family she had ever known.

Alison Garrad said: “We never set out to do anything remarkable, we simply wanted Linny to remain part of the family who loved her.

“Watching her grow, learn and experience the world has been one of the greatest joys of our lives.

“Although supporting her move to independent living has been hard for us, we are incredibly proud of her and grateful that we can continue sharing weekends and family time together.

“Being invited to Buckingham Palace is a huge honour, but the real privilege has been having Linny in our lives.”

For the past 24 years, Linny has lived as a member of the Garrad family, sharing in their daily routines and international travels – including visits to nearly every US state during long stays for Larry’s work.

Earlier this year, Linny, now in her 50s, moved into supported living accommodation with full-time care.

Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “Alison and Larry represent everything that makes Shared Lives so special.

“Their love, commitment and belief in what Linny could achieve have helped her to live a full, meaningful and connected life for more than two decades.

“Their story shows the power of ordinary families doing extraordinary things, and we are delighted that their dedication is being recognised at Buckingham Palace.”

The Shared Lives Scheme matches adults in need of support with trained carers who welcome them into their homes, fostering stable and nurturing environments.

For Alison and Larry, Linny’s move toward greater independence has been both emotional.

They continue to spend weekends and family time with her, cherishing the strong bonds built over a lifetime of care.

The Buckingham Palace invitation stands as a public acknowledgement of their quiet, unwavering commitment to giving Linny not just care but a true sense of belonging and family.

Lego announced in December last year that it would open a new store at the shopping centre.

Excitement has been building in recent months for the popular toy store’s 22nd UK store, with hoardings going up in recent weeks.

The new store officially opens tomorrow (Thursday, May 7) and the Oxford Mail was given an exclusive look around this evening (Wednesday, May 6).

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Oxford Lego store manager Will Wylie. (Image: Newsquest)

Inside, shoppers will find a wide array of Lego sets as well as immersive experiences, including the Pick a Brick Wall and the Build a Minifigure Tower.

Store manager Will Wylie, originally from Reading, only joined Lego a month ago, but has remarked that the job is “a dream come true”.

“I needed something new, and I saw this job come up on LinkedIn and thought, ‘Why not?’, as I love Lego and always have ever since I was a kid,” he said.

“Applied for it, did the interview, and here I am. I’m unbelievably excited, as when you love something, it’s a lot easier to work with it.

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Inside the new Lego store at Westgate Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

“As a kid, I had Jurassic Park Lego as well as the Harry Potter train set from the early 2000s, so to be able to work and sell it now is a dream come true.”

Lego is expecting a busy opening day at Westgate Oxford, but Will and his team are ready and raring to go.

“You’re always a bit nervous but excited too because of the buzz it creates, and I have thrived on that from previous jobs.”

The store itself has some specific local callouts, including a Lego model of an Oxford University student in academic dress with his mortarboard mid-air.

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Inside the new Lego store at Westgate Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

“We’ve got the university graduate, and he is also holding some sausages,” explained Will.

“A few people didn’t understand the reference, but in the 18th century, the city was famous for an Oxford Sausage, which was made from pork and veal.

“It’s an interesting fact that not many people know, so that’s why that’s on there, and there is also a little seagull eying it up.

“Then, further into the store, the seagull has stolen the sausage, and you can also find the Oxford and Cambridge rowers from the Boat Race.”

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The new Lego store at Westgate Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

When asked if there would be any Oxford-specific sets or any of the city’s buildings custom-built and on display, Will did not rule anything out for the future.

“We’ve done these postcards with one for London and other countries like Germany and Japan,” he said.

“So we might make our own little Oxford one, as there is a lot of special architecture in the city, maybe something in the future like Radcliffe Camera.”

Oxford’s new Lego store can be found on the lower ground floor at the Westgate shopping centre, below Superdrug.

The bus company said the road will be closed from junction 5 to junction 8A.

The roadworks are expected to begin at 10.15pm and last until 6am.

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The bus company has stated it will be unable to stop at Lewknor on the motorway.

The Oxford Tube will instead be stopping at the Mercure Lambert Arms.

The Oxford to London coach route is an express coach route between Oxford and London along the M40.

Operated by Stagecoach West, there are up to five coaches an hour via Lewknor, High Wycombe Coachway, Hillingdon, Shepherd’s Bush, and Baker Street terminating on Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria.