QUEEN Elizabeth II was met with adulation when she became the first reigning monarch to visit Bridgwater for three centuries in 1987.
Following the sad news of the Queen’s death on Thursday, September 8, residents who lived in the town at the time will be fondly recalling her visit.
The Queen and Prince Philip arrived in Bridgwater on Friday, May 8 after spending the previous day in Taunton.
A special eight-page supplement published in the Bridgwater Mercury on May 13, 1987, said: “A perfect summer’s afternoon was the backdrop for the town’s first visit by a reigning monarch in 300 years – and everyone loved every fleeting minute of it.
“A happier occasion would be hard to imagine. The sun shone, the crowds came flocking, the cameras were clicking away like nobody’s business… it was Bridgwater’s finest hour-and-a-half, no doubt about it.
“And so smoothly did it all go that the police had time for nice jobs, like helping the Queen carry all her flowers!”
Around 850 children from Bridgwater’s junior schools packed into St Mary’s Church to eagerly await the arrival of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s limousine.
A crowd of spectators 10ft deep hoped to catch of glimpse of the Royal visitors, while pensioners from Ivy House and Blake Hospital watched from specially provided seats in the churchyard.
When she arrived, the Queen and Duke met the Rev Ted Ayerst, Sedgemoor District Council’s Des Roach and Maurice Hart, mayor Julie Hooper, mayoress Julie Nicholson, and Bridgwater MP Tom King.
Inside the church, Eastover School pupils chorused: “Welcome to Your Majesty and Your Royal Highness. The boys and girls of Bridgwater are so happy you have come to visit us.
“Please give our love to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Have a nice day, Ma’am.”
Children from St Mary’s School weaved patterns in country dancing to the tune of Blaydon Races; pupils from Friarn and Hamp schools proudly held up posters, and Sedgemoor Manor School students sang.
The Queen, wearing a red dress with black dots, a red coat, and a red straw hat with a black hatband, then met Olive Millard, a patient at Blake Hospital.
Mrs Millard presented the Queen with a posy of pink and white flowers made by a member of staff, Margaret Saunders.
“The Queen stopped and asked, ‘Are they for me’ and asked if I was a patient,” said Mrs Millard.
“Mrs Winter, another patient, also handed over a posy. I was thrilled to bits.”
Workers on the Angel Crescent Consortium project later explained their painstaking restoration work to the Queen, who also unveiled a plaque at the town hall commemorating her visit.
Prince Philip spoke to members of the public throughout their visit, including schoolchildren who had taken an ‘unofficial’ afternoon off.
His eyes were drawn to Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival president Stan Bown, who was wearing his official carnival tie for the occasion.
Mr Bown said: “He was very interested in the carnival and asked me when it would be held this year.
“When I told him it was always the Thursday nearest to Guy Fawkes night, he said, ‘That must be a rather damp night.”
Mr Bown hoped to present the Royals with a video of the carnival but said it had not been possible during their visit.
“We still hope to be able to send the video to the Queen,” he added.
When it was time to leave, the Queen arrived at Bridgwater railway station “to the cheers of hundreds of people lining the road” before stepping onto the platform.
She was welcomed there by the 1st Bridgwater St George’s Wembdon Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers.
Her visit was brought to a close when she boarded the Royal Train and left, 17 minutes behind schedule.
Reporter Jon Rosamund wrote: “The Queen spent several minutes leaning out of the window for the benefit of onlookers and press photographers in search of a last-minute record of her trip to Bridgwater.”
He quipped: “It was one late departure that could not be blamed on British Rail!”
Prince Philip instead made late arrangements to leave by helicopter from Cranleigh Gardens.
At the end of her visit, Rev Ayerst took the time to speak to the newspaper about a momentous occasion for the town.
“What a splendid day Bridgwater has had,” he said.
“The sun shone and entered people’s hearts, and inside the church children performed splendidly and charmed. Her Majesty… she said so.
“I am delighted with the whole event, for it was indeed a great day for the town.”
Read more: Bridgwater residents lay flowers for ‘inspiring and comforting’ Queen
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