Founder Angela Brown invited to Buckingham Palace

A founder of a Custom House cheerleading team was invited to Buckingham Palace to be congratulated on her outstanding work with young people for the past 15 years.

Angela Brown, a founding member of the Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders (AEC), was greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at a reception.

She said: “I was so honoured to receive the invitation and excited to be invited to the Palace. Being presented to the Queen was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

“I shook her hand and then answered questions about the Ascension Eagles. The Duke of Edinburgh was particularly enthralled with AEC and it was lovely to speak with them both.”

Afterwards, Angela was escorted to another room to watch performances by an orchestra, ballet and other forms of dance.

She added: “I was inspired by the people I met and truly enjoyed myself. It was a lovely evening I will never forget.”

Angela began her career with the AEC as a 14-year-old in 1996 and went to lead them to Championship titles all over the world.

Since then, she has been hired as a choreographer and instructor for teams all over Europe and has even devised routines for the London New Year’s Day Parade, the Lord Mayor’s Show, UEFA Super Cup Monaco and the FA Cup finals. Her worked has been viewed by 400 million people worldwide.

‘I count myself lucky’

She was also the first British cheerleader of the year in 2001 and established Britain’s first cheer gym, Talent Central, which is based in Gallions Reach Shopping Centre in Beckton.

Angela said: “It was an honour to be invited to meet the Queen, but I count myself lucky daily to be involved in the lives of the young people AEC work with.”