Past royal occasions - 2

 

THE DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER 
- Saturday 30th March 2002

The Union Jack was flown at half mast outside the Town Hall in Bourne for two weeks as a mark of respect for the death of the Queen Mother at the age of 101. Many people paid touching tributes to her kindness and the Town Council sent a letter of sympathy to the Queen. A Book of Condolence was opened and remained available until April 12th before being sent to St James' Palace and among the first to sign was former mayor Councillor Don Fisher who recalled meeting her at Buckingham Palace in 1963 while serving as a sergeant with the Coldstream Guards. "She was charming and everyone loved her", he said. "I was most impressed by her friendly manner and her intention to talk to anyone and everyone." The local newspapers were also filled with memories of her faithful duty and unwearying service and the loyalty and love which she inspired, particularly on those occasions whenever she visited the locality, and there were also many street interviews with those who merely wished to express their sorrow at her passing. The Vicar of Bourne, Canon John Warwick, announced that Her Royal Highness would be remembered in all of the services at the Abbey Church. On the day of the funeral, Tuesday 9th April, many shops in the town closed from 11 a m until 1 p m as a mark of respect while schools, business premises and offices observed two minutes' silence at 11 a m.

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE 

 

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QUEEN ELIZABETH 11

 

 

- Sunday 2nd June 2002

A special committee was set up in Bourne the year before to plan the celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee that was held over four days in the summer of 2002, from Saturday 1st to Monday 4th June. An inaugural meeting was held in October 2001 when it was decided to raise £10,000 to finance the programme and during the ensuing months, the details were finalised for the celebration weekend including live entertainment, fireworks, a barbecue, street parties, exhibitions, a flower show, and of course a grand parade through the streets with the Jubilee Queen, Sherri Delaine-Smith, aged 14, on one of the leading floats with her attendants Kirsty Woodward, aged 13, and 12-year-old Archna Patel. 

Many homes and other buildings in the town had been decorated with flags and bunting to mark the occasion, from the Abbey Primary School in Abbey Road to one of the smallest council houses in the town at No 40 Burghley Street (above left) which crammed a mass of red. white and blue decoration in a very small space while the Royal Oak was painted with a huge flag of St George across its frontage in North Street (above right). Hundreds of townspeople turned out to line the streets for the carnival parade on Bank Holiday Monday when 36 floats took part in a procession through the town centre (below).

Photos: Courtesy Michael McGregor

The biggest attraction was on Bank Holiday Monday at the Wellhead Field where a huge marquee had been erected for the town's own Party in the Park, a feast of musical entertainment throughout the day and catering for all tastes ranging from ceilidh and rock to disco and brass. There were similar festivities in all of the surrounding villages where homes and gardens were decorated. The committee's organising secretary Betty James, summed up the successful weekend as follows: 

"The committee members are over the moon because all of their hard work paid off but, more importantly, because so many people in Bourne turned out in their hundreds, determined to have a ball and enjoy themselves over this very special Golden Jubilee weekend. It was gratifying to see so many families making their way to the Wellhead Field carrying chairs, rugs, picnic baskets, pushing prams, carrying excited little children - all very reminiscent of occasions when famous orchestras are playing at stately homes. However, on this occasion, it was mostly local people who were providing the very varied entertainment and jolly good it was too. All ages mixed so well together and there was not a hint of any trouble over the whole weekend. Children played happily, young people laughed together, parents enjoyed the company of their friends, and grandparents sat in the sun, soaking up the atmosphere, smiling contentedly as they watched the world go by. The Abbey Church was packed to capacity for the thanksgiving service on Sunday and the following day, the big parade was the talk of the town. The weekend certainly went out with a bang - and the fireworks were splendid into the bargain."

See the Golden Jubilee Programme for 2002

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