Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrated in Clyde River
[slideshow]This year marks 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations are taking place this weekend in Britain with the Queen’s attendance at the Epsom Derby, Big Jubilee lunch, a concert at Buckingham Palace, the lighting of the Jubilee beacons, a service of Thanksgiving and a carriage procession. In Clyde River, the Women’s Institute created their own celebration with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Tea at Riverview Community Centre with help from Canada Heritage Jubilee Program, and they invited the ladies of the community and invited guests, including St. Catherine’s Women’s Institute members.
The ladies wore colourful outfits and dusted off their hats for the occasion or donned a fascinator from those provided by Sandra Cameron or of their own creation. Hilda Colodey made her fascinator from peacock feathers. The tea featured a presentation from Helen MacPhail on their visit with the Queen while her husband was Lieutenant Governor of PEI. She fondly remembers how the Queen took extra time with them and had a wonderful sense of humour. Helen had been hoping to meet the Queen’s beloved corgi dogs, and a Queen’s aid told her if she had mentioned it in advance, they would have definitely arranged it. During the trip, Lloyd and Helen attended a Royal Ascot race and were privileged to sit in the Queen’s box to enjoy it. Helen also brought along her private collection of memorabilia to display, including the hat she wore when she met Queen Elizabeth II. Wanda MacPhail featured her mother Lillian Livingston’s scrapbook from the 1940s.
We were also delighted to have the wife of the current PEI Lieutenant Governor, Her Honour Dorothy Lewis, in attendance, and she stayed to enjoy the afternoon among some of her long time friends and acquaintances.
Music was provided by Renee Dahn on violin and her mother Julia Purcell on piano. Betty Watts, a recent recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Silver Medal poured tea. Audrey MacPhee cut the beautifully decorated and tasty cake provided by Papa Joe’s Restaurant.
Mothers and daughters took the opportunity to share the day together like Hilda Beer with Donna Green, Lois Thompson with Jennifer Good, Julia Purcell with Renee Dahn, Marilyn Dodd with Hope Dodd, Helen MacPhail with Ferne Halman and Judy Halman and Carol-Ann Murray with Kerrilee York. There was a moment’s silence for Clyde River Women’s Institute lifetime member Hazel Beer. Her daughter Vivian Beer was there to enjoy the tea and take the photos featured in the slide show.
The ladies commented on how much fun it was to dress up for a tea party and to see everyone in such beautifully coloured fashion. Each lady was presented with a Queen’s Jubilee pin, small flag and photo book with pictures of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.