What a lovely day today is for me to look forward to – I think I have practically sorted my problems with the Wi-Fi (as of last night, 1jun – touch wood!!!) and it is the Platinum Jubilee today.

I have such wonderful memories of our dear Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee’s Celebrations and now it’s HM’s Platinum one.  My brother, Derek Horder and my sisters, Pat, June and I, were lucky to be a part of a street party (Boundfield Road, Catford, SE6) to celebrate the end of the war. I was only a tot, but I could remember it well – lovely jellies and cakes, of course! (any  one else there?).

So when we were nearing the Silver Jubilee, I was determined to give my own children (Warren and Selina) something historic and fun to remember. We were the only street party held on the day in the area (Gwydyr Road, Bromley Kent anyone else remember this ). Mayor & Mayoress B.E.G Davis were invited (they remembered us at the time of the Golden Jubilee).  The Red Arrows flew along our small cul-de-sac, whether intended, no one knows, but we believed it, because it was the icing on the top of the cake. Oh we really did let our hair down that night.  Remember, it was 1977, bling, lots of dancing into the night. Oh and yes, the police turned up. I recall saying how sorry I was and we would stop. I knew him. He said there had been complaints and we could be heard up in the Bromley High Street. He said to turn the music down a bit, enjoy ourselves and where’s the beer? They thoroughly enjoyed themselves too – with one young girl supporting his helmet till the morning and it was well light. Every body of all ages had a fantastic time – and NO TROUBLE WAS HAD AT ALL.

WE HAD ANOTHER STREET PARTY A FEW WEEKS LATER.

Now I wish to share a memory of mine with Our Majesty, just in case someone can pass this onto Her Majesty – I hope she might hear about and possibly enjoy. It is simple, but unique. It took place on Her Coronation Day.

During the months leading, obviously there is always so much think about by so many, what can be done, what ideas can be thought up. Someone obviously decided the Thames Embankment would be ideal for school children to be safe in (walls would be too high for children to climb over or fall from). So every child could have a chance to take place and watch the coronation procession, a lottery was held in every school in the Country. Six children from each school won a place to attend.  My sister Pat won a place from hers and I won from mine! Wow, I am sure no other family had that coincidence. We had to be at the Station I think at 5:30am, but my father overslept, which meant two children went in our place. One can imagine how disappointed we were, but my mother insisted she took us herself to Charring Cross so we could take our places. What I remembered will stay in my mind for all time! (I was 10yrs old). We walked down to the Embankment. There was a huge, huge metal and wooden gate closed right across the Embankment, with huge spikes at the top and a small gate within it, with which we were pushed through (my Mum too) by a strong policeman. The reason was because men were scrambling like madmen to get over the gates through the gaps between the spikes! It was manic and frightening (that is, if it hadn’t been for the strong calm policemen), the men fighting because they so wanted to see the Queen! (I have never seen those gates in place in the years since).

I recall the road sweepers, working incessantly, keeping roads clean. They were wonderful and kept us children entertained by acting royal and waving their hands to us – bowing to us, they were lovely,

Also, I remembered we had been pre-warned by everybody’s school not to laughed at Queen Salote of Tonga, because she was a huge woman (children can be very cruel), but quite the contrary, we took Her to our hearts. The reason being She arrived in an open carriage, smiling from ear to ear, getting soaked like we were, yes it was pouring with rain, but we didn’t care either.

Then came The Royal Coach – oh, good job we were young – we all would have had enormous heart attacks with such incredible excitement. I was lucky to have you Ma-am sitting on my side of the road – so incredibly beautiful (I’m reading this to my husband and can’t manage to do so – I have a huge lump in my throat). I’m sorry I can’t remember how handsome Prince Phillip was – till much later.

We were returned home by coaches, (with incredible feelings unable to describe), in time to watch the whole Coronation Service on our next door neighbours 9″ TV (Mr and Mr Hayden).  Followed by a street party, which included a magician performance (anyone recall that (Boundfield).

God bless you and thank you Ma-am.

Diane Grant (Mrs)(nee Horder, late Mrs Pratt)

I am going to have another Party on Sunday 5^th June 2022

With my husband, Keith at our club

at Farnborough Jazz, Kent with our Mardi Gras Jazz Band entertaining us