2022 saw the celebration of the 70th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. For many of our members, although certainly not all, she is the only monarch we have known and her presence in our lives is remarkable. She has seen 14 UK Prime Ministers and the changes to British society during her reign have been immense.
Catford WI asked its members for their personal memories of the Queen.
Catford’s Memories of the Queen’s Reign
Liz Binns
Here are my memories of the Queen's reign going back to 1952.
Leeds 1952, I am 14 years old and at Notre Dame Girls College. It is dinner hour and the whole school is eating and chattering. Suddenly the Headmistress, Sr.Mary silences us by ringing a big old style hand bell and tells us that the King has died. It was a very solemn moment, the Royal family was a taken for granted as part of our lives.
Now it's 1953 and I am going to watch the Coronation at my friend Carol’s Gran’s house. My Mum sends me off with a packet of sandwiches. not expecting someone else to part with scarce rations because I've rolled up. Carol's Granny finds this funny and odd. We watched a grey, grainy ceremony on a 12in screen, not very exciting. However I do remember how much I enjoyed my corned beef (with a touch of HP sauce ) sandwiches. This was a black and white world, very Post War. The colour came in when we went to the pictures and the world went Technicolour. A newsreel showed the whole thing again, and again, golden coach, the lot. I think we must have had to go to the pictures to see the Royal Wedding also..
My sister and I just happened to be named, not on purpose , Elizabeth and Margaret so that always caused a comment of; ‘ Oh just like the little princesses’. In 1960 I married a Philip and left Leeds and came to live in London.
In the 1980s, we were invited to Ascot . I did see the Queen as she went to congratulate the winner. In the 1990s we were invited to a Royal Garden Party. All I saw of the Queen was the top of her pink hat as she moved down amongst the crowd.
I enjoyed going with our W.I. on a visit to the palace. We saw the Queen's dresses and more of the actual interior. We did have a lovely street party for the Silver Jubilee in the 70s. How times have changed!! We were able to make use of the tables and chairs from All Saints School. There were plenty of children then in our Vale. They all sat out and had their party food. In the evening we went in the school and carried on partying. That event created a nice mood that carried on that Summer. Nothing seems to be planned for this year and the school is like Fort Knox now. TVs are the thing today.
Hazel Cole
I was 7 years old and listening at school to a schools’ programme on the radio (we used to have these sorts of lessons then!) . The programme stopped abruptly and it was announced that the King had died. After that the only thing to listen to on the radio was very sombre music. I’m not sure that the announcement had very much impact on a class of 6 and 7 year olds, but it has certainly remained in my memory.
The next year, 1953, my family travelled to my auntie’s house to watch the coronation on her 12” television screen. We had no television at that time. We huddled around it, 8 of us, and watched it from start to finish. A song had been written about the young Queen, called “In a Golden Coach”. My sister and I still remember all the words!!
Then there was the street party. Fancy dress. I went as a Spanish dancer and my sister was Little Bo Peep. I still have the photo of all the children in our street somewhere (and also still have a good friend from that time).
Wish I could remember with such clarity where I put the sellotape today!!
Alyson McGarrigle
In July 2002 I was a member of Lewisham Council and at the time held responsibility for the Borough’s Libraries, Leisure centres and the Theatre. Lewisham Theatre , as it was then known, was in a very poor state and the Council had taken the decision to restore and refurbish the building. 2002 was the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and it was decided that we would invite the Queen to open the Theatre after its refurbishment as her father, George VI, had opened the original building in 1932. Somewhat to our surprise the letter came from the Palace that our invitation had been accepted and that the Queen would visit the Theatre as part of a tour of South London planned for the date in July.
As part of the planning were numerous discussions about security and the day before the event we had a visit from sniffer dogs who checked all the drains in the area of the Theatre, all routes to be taken had been carefully assessed and agreed and we were informed that there would be marksmen positioned on the roofs of the buildings opposite the Theatre!
On the morning of the event Catford was very quiet and we wondered if anyone would come to see her arrival. We needn’t have worried as the morning went on and the crowds gathered and by the time the Royal car arrived the streets were filled with cheering people.
A special performance had been planned for the day with Max Bygraves and the Beverley Sisters as the headline acts. The Queen arrived to be met by the Mayor and all the members of the Council Cabinet, including myself, were waiting in the bar to be introduced as the Royal party were leaving the building. The Queen was dressed in a beautiful Apricot coat and matching hat and she walked through the bar talking to the Councillors as she did. I was on the Prince Philip side and was introduced to him. I had agreed with my children’s school that they could have the morning off and they were waiting, with my mother, outside the theatre door and saw her as she left the building and was presented with a painting from a community in Kenya which, if I remember correctly, was where the Queen had been when she accessed to the throne. It all seemed to be over in a flash, but it was a very memorable day.
Jacky Berry
I was very honoured to be invited to a Queen's garden party on 22 July 2008.
I was working for the British Medical Association at the time and had completed a huge move and refurbishment of their Library.
The CEO asked me to attend the garden party as a thank you for the work that I had completed. The BMA were offered tickets annually as the royals have always been very involved with the Association.
It was a beautiful day and one that I will always remember. Although I didn't meet the Queen personally I saw her up close. My memory of her is that she is very tiny but has the most beautiful skin.
Laura Annansingh
In 1977, as a 10-year- girl living in South East London. I was very much aware of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
As a pupil at my local primary school the Silver Jubilee was a whole school event.
As the date grew closer, I recall the floor in the school hall had an extra polish and
how its parquet flooring sparkled.
As a class, we were asked to contribute to the red, white and blue hoops which
would be hanging in the assembly hall.
On these large hoops, the type that were used for hula hooping, symbols that
represented the Jubilee would be hung. There was competition for space, so we had to produce quality work. We were all very excited.
My parents had arrived in in England from the Caribbean in the 60s, and the Queen
represented their connection with the Motherland.
At the time, I remember watching Queen Elizabeth on our colour portable television. Observing how her flawless white skin and pink lipstick lips shone, I was intrigued by her regal wave which seemed to emanate only from her wrist.
The brightness and radiance of her clothing was intoxicating, her pearl necklace and diamond broach against her soft pink dress a joy. As always, her matching hats with plumes excited me. As she traversed the crowds waving Union Jacks, she always appeared delighted. The Duke too, was never far behind her.
I was always curious how she managed to maintain her smile and walk, with such
effortless ease and grace. To me, the Queen and the Duke resembled characters
from a fairy-tale. They were larger than life.
I recollect how, in my childlike mind, I thought it funny, that this was a woman who
had her face on a stamp!
In school, in the run up to the Jubilee celebrations, the afternoons were spent
making crowns from sugar paper and glued shaped tissue paper- to replicate
emeralds and diamonds and rubies.
At home, in the evenings, I’d watch the BBC news with my family. There were
always images of the Queen walking amongst the crowds at home. I was always
especially thrilled to see the adventures abroad that she would undertake.
Although, I didn’t go to any street parties I remember the excitement of English
people, especially. The adults spent much time discussing the menu for street parties, the cakes and jelly and ice cream and of course, spam sandwiches!
Some of my class friends had family who reminisced about their childhood street parties to celebrate the Queen’s coronation.
1977 is a year embossed in my mind, as a year of mass celebration.
Years later, on 23th November 1995, this time as an adult, I again saw the queen.
This time she was live. Queen Elizabeth visited The Albany Theatre in Deptford south east London as part of her celebrating Africa 95, a season of African arts.
I remember how she stepped out of a beautiful royal blue Daimler. This time, I mused - ... isn’t she small!
The Queen of England there in front of me! Her Green coat and black handbag
complete with matching shoes, impeccable.
On this occasion, the Queen and the Duke looked at the stalls whilst they spoke to
local people. They chatted to many of the women who wore the most extraordinary traditional Yoruba dresses which sported sashes off brightly coloured threads of orange, yellow and greens, a real rainbow of energy.
At the same time, the English stall holders- who had lived there for generations were proud and happy that the Queen should visit the area where they lived.
Another day, well remembered.
I find the Queen an interesting figurehead. A woman who you feel you know and
yet whom you know little of. To me, she is indeed a symbol of longevity who still holds fascination and dignity.
Caroline Welch
For both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees, we were on holiday at Croyde Bay in Devon with the family.
For the Golden Jubilee the holiday camp organised a day of games and stalls with an afternoon tea for everyone staying there. All the children were given a commemorative mug. We were lucky with the weather, as just a few miles down the coast it poured with rain most of the day.
For the Diamond Jubilee we were there again and we spent the afternoon huddled with friends in our chalet watching the pageant on the Thames. It was unseasonably cold and wet and the poor Queen and Prince Philip looked frozen. We were trying to catch a glimpse of our musician friend who was playing on one of the barges (he also taught all the drummers in the Olympic opening ceremony later that year.)
Annette Howard
I can remember the Silver Jubilee in 1977. We spent the weekend with my grandmother and aunt in Maidenhead. We watched the beacon being lit in Windsor Great Park. There were stewards to get the cars in but no stewards to get us out and it was pitch dark and very wet. We went round and round the field in the car and we got back to Maidenhead about 4 in the morning
In 2016 I attended the Patrons lunch on the Mall with other colleagues from RICS. It was very wet and we all looked like drowned rats. We were not allowed to use umbrellas and were given disposable ponchos to wear. We were given M@S hampers with delicious food to eat. William and Kate came across to speak to our group.
Bee Crouch
The Queen for me is a wonderful woman who stands for loyalty, hard work, stamina and honesty.
Queen Elizabeth has reigned over us for 70 happy and glorious years and I have been fortunate enough to meet her on several occasions through my job in corporate hospitality. Her majesty is always humble and I remember once we served her a squid ink pasta in a beautiful cellophane wrapper tied up with a huge bow, the queen leant towards me and said “how does one eat this ?” Proving she isn’t afraid to let people know she doesn’t know everything and isn’t afraid to ask.
I have also stood next to the Queen when she was putting on her lipstick, a rare site and one I shall never forget. I was told that it is shaped in such a way that she doesn’t always need a mirror to apply it.
Her majesty is always happy and eager to speak to everyone who meets her, especially gardeners at places she visits, she has a keen interest in all things botanical and of course we know how much she loves her corgis and horses.
My earliest memory of the Queen is as a young child seeing the Queen in the royal enclosure at Royal Ascot with my father, who also shared a love of horse racing. I was sitting up on his shoulders and there in front of me was the Queen, imagine the delight of a little girl like me !
Long may our gracious Queen continue to reign over us. Happy Platinum Jubilee Lilibet. You have been everything and more we could have wished for.
Anonymous
I've been lucky enough to work in a few places that have had the Queen visit to open new spaces or to attend Jubilee events, about 6 in total I think.
My favourite part of these has always been the preparation. It's a lot of work for the teams involved in the planning and everyone does get a bit stressed, but it also means a visit from a team of sniffer dogs who have a great time running through the offices and behind the scenes spaces to check that everything is secure. It's great to see them at work, and to see how happy they are with tails wagging at high speed!
For one visit I was looking after a team of Watermen, with their scarlet tunics and huge ceremonial oars, who were there to form a guard of honour for the Queen. A friend spent that day sitting with a security officer outside the toilet that had been designated for the Queen's use if required - it was not.
And for another visit I had to stand near the CEO and be ready to pass him a rather heavy commemorative book for the Queen, and standing on the other side of me was a member of the Royal Household holding a silver tray bearing the Queen's gin - quite a strong measure judging by the fumes wafting across the room.
Nicole Burgum
Over the years I have seen the Queen many times mainly on the balcony at Buckingham Palace or in a procession for one of her jubilees or a royal wedding. These were always great occasions. However, my dearest memory is when I went to Trooping the Colour probably in the early 1980s and the Queen rode by so close to me. She looked so regal. I have attached two photos that I took.
Our family have always been royalists and we have a particularly close attachment to the Queen's Coronation. My grandad, Ernest Reeve, rang the bells at St. Margaret's, Westminster, on the day and my mum, Edith Lunn (as she was then, later to be Edith Reeve), marched in the Coronation Procession as a member of the Women's Royal Naval Service Volunteer Reserve (Mum had served in the Second World War in the WRNS). They marched with the WRNS.
I have attached some photos - the WRNS and WRNSVR training on the front at Southsea for the procession (Mum is fourth from the left in the front row) and one from The Daily Telegraph published on 3 June 1953. The photo of the bell ringers wasn't taken at the Coronation but it shows my Grandad bellringing (he is on the left) and the other photo is of his ticket to the Coronation. I am so proud of my Mum and Grandad.
Shirley Gotsell
My close encounter happened, very unexpectedly on 22. 10. 2002, I had to check the date in archives! It was the half term, and Ben, my youngest son, decided that he would like to head off to London to visit the Natural History Museum, particularly the newly opened Darwin Centre.
When we arrived we noticed a red carpet on the steps and through the door, I remember thinking how nice, maybe it is something to do with the new centre.
Indeed it was!! All of a sudden we were somehow manoeuvred over to the sides of the entrance hall with a group of other people, although I don't remember it being a particularly large group. Ben and I thought maybe someone of importance was coming to the centre, still the light did not dawn on me. There was a gathering of people at the entrance, all I could see was the top of a red hat, due partly to my short stature, and that of the hat wearer, who was none other than her majesty, the Queen, who had come to open the new Darwin Centre.
Her majesty is not tall, hence the importance of the brightly coloured coats and hats that she always wears. Before you could blink she had gone into the centre, needless to say we did not get to visit the new centre on that occasion!
Audrey Candy
During the 1960’s my parents attended an annual evening ‘do’ for the Institute of Metal Finishing. My 5’8” mother who is now 5’2” would buy (she usually made her clothes) a special evening dress.
One of these dresses was a full-length cream brocade, short sleeved and with a boat-like neckline. It was worn with a matching sparkling necklace and dangling earrings, long cream gloves, a neat handbag over the arm and high heeled shoes. With my 6’2” father they made a striking couple.
At the Silver Jubilee my dad played the part of the queen for the festivities at the United Services Social Club in Manor Road, Lewisham. My mum had cut the said dress down the middle of the back and inserted a wide panel of incongruous beige and cream curtain fabric. With his wig, tiara and accessories plus his old brown leather sandals sprayed silver, he looked the part sitting on the stage with a wafting royal wave. After a long search it appears we have only the sandals left.
In 1981 for Charles and Diana’s wedding, we lived in Flimwell Close at the bottom of Bromley Hill and had a wonderful party. We ate the jointly prepared food, drank, and danced together. I remember lines of us across the car parking area doing ‘Oops upside your head’ several times.
Night fell and an announcement was given out over the sound system that a helicopter had landed on Bromley Hill.
‘We have a royal visitor’
And into the Close walked my husband, in the dress like my father 4 years before, with his handbag on his hooked arm and a silver sandaled flipper footed gait. The children thought he was wonderful!!!
Kathy Monk
When I was almost 5 Years old there was a big celebration of the Coronation and there was a party for all the children in the flats where we lived in Greenwich. I have a photo of me sitting at a very long table, unfortunately I cannot find this photo.
Whilst working for MAFF I was invited to a reception at Lancaster House to celebrate 100 years of MAFF. The Queen was also invited and walked down the line and spoke to different people. To my surprise she spoke to me asking where I worked, I completely forgot to curtesy.
In 2006 two years before I retired I had an invitation to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, it was a very hot day!
The Queen and Prince Phillip came to Bromley in one of the years after I retired in 2008 and I managed to catch sight of them driving down the high street.
Katherine Shewell
When I was a young girl in Worthing we all went to see the Queen drive past with her marching band in attendance.
It was fun to see the Queen but I was far more thrilled by the drummers and knew then and there that I wanted to learn to play.
It was many years before I got the chance but was eventually taught (as an adult!) by a brilliant guy in Streatham. Still have my snare drum but my arthritis has stopped me from playing these days.