My thanks to Bath Newseum follower Diane Shearn for whisking me back to the heady days of HTV West Television and a visit Her Majesty the Queen made to Bath back in 1977 – her Silver Jubilee Year.
With her permission – and photographs – l print the letter in full.
‘Dear Richard,
First things first!
I love your column in the Bath Magazine, & there you are not looking a day older than when you were the main newsreader on HTV news…ouch & how we all felt your pain on your altercation with that plane…back in the days.
This email is a belated thank you.
Cast your mind back to 1977 the Silver Jubilee.
Her Majesty came to Bath & my little boy, being in the scouts/judo was amongst many others about to impress H.M with their talents.
He was allowed three tickets in all & only mentioned it to me as an afterthought.
Woe betide him if he hadn’t told me!
On the day, I scooped him & his sister up, dropped him off in the Parade Gardens, whilst the daughter & I went to purchase flowers to present to the Queen.
Well…you never know do you?
Queen Elizabeth walked around with Prince Phillip, & didn’t miss out one child holding flowers, & amongst them…my daughter.
Unimaginable joy on my part.
There were many pictures in the local Bath Chronicle, but not one of my little girl, but then, there were hundreds, if not thousands of people.
Fast forward eight years.
My Mum said ” Our Katie is on the television every night isn’t she ?”
I clearly thought that my Mum was either talking total rubbish ( as she often did ) or had imagined it.
On explaining though….perhaps …well…. could this be true.
My Mum used to stay up until close down each night, where the National Anthem would be played…and…during the playing of the National Anthem film from around the South West of her Majesty’s visits in 1977.
Well, blow me down with a diamond tiara, my mother was right, there for the South West viewers to view was my daughter giving the Queen a bunch of flowers.
Why in the world hadn’t her granny told me before.
Anyway dear Richard, I wrote to you, & I think it was more of a begging letter, & you sent me a recording.
I’m sure I would have written to thank you, because that’s what I was brought up to do, by aforesaid Mum, but now, I am not writing this with my Parker’51 pen, dunked in Quink ink.
I am emailing you to say that I have never forgotten your kindness & thank you so very much.’
Kind regards
Diane Shearn
What a lovely lady you are to be sure – and thanks for the memories.
