Lancashire Life readers invited to share their pictures and memories of the Queen's visits to our county
The print version of this article appeared in the March 2012 issue of Lancashire Life
We can deliver a copy direct to your door – order online here
Fingers crossed, the Queen will be coming to Lancashire during her Jubilee year and here at Lancashire Life we are already dusting off the bunting.
We thought it would be a good idea if you joined in the celebration by sending us your memories and pictures of previous visits by Her Majesty. We’ll publish the best in the coming months along with the pictures and words printed over the years in your favourite magazine.
As the Duke of Lancaster with large Duchy estates in Bowland and the Ribble Valley, the Queen is a regular visitor to the red rose county and Buckingham Palace officials assure us she will definitely be coming this way during 2012. However, at the time of going to press the exact plans remained under wraps but it is likely to take place in May.
In the past the Queen has said that if she and Prince Philip had a chance to retire, they would settle in the Bowland area. Sadly, Queens seldom retire. Judging by the enthusiastic reception she received in 2006 from locals who pressed bouquets and belated birthday cards on her throughout the day, the she would certainly be sure of a warm welcome.
During that visit she spent the day taking in the sights and sounds of Dunsop Bridge, home to one of the Duchy of Lancaster’s major estates, and she enjoyed her first ever pub lunch at the Inn at Whitewell and stopped at the Puddleducks Cafe in Dunsop Bridge to talk scone recipes.
With over 11,000 acres of the Duchy’s holdings between Preston and Lancaster, the county is certain to celebrate the Queen’s 60 glorious years in style. A host of events have been planned for the area including school exhibitions, beacon lighting and commemorative wood planting with many more yet to be arranged. And the icing on the Jubliee cake will be her visit here.
We have have been digging through the Lancashire Life files and spotted this marvellous picture of the Queen being greeted in Dunsop Bridge. It was taken by Lancashire photographer Andy Stansfield. We also came across this cover of Lancashire Life, recording a visit here in her early years on the thrown. It was published in 1954.
Do you have any photographs or memories of previous visits by the Queen? If so, share them with readers of Lancashire Life.
Send them electronically to the editor at roger.borrell@lancashirelife.co.uk or by post to the Editor, Lancashire Life, 3 Tustin Court, Port Way, Preston, PR2 2YQ.
