Preserve us, it's The Queen
MEMBERS of Lynn Preservation Trust past and present were given the royal "seal of approval" when The Queen paid a visit yesterday morning.
The trust, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, held a fond place in the heart of the Queen Mother, who was its patron for 44 years until her death in 2002.
Despite its long association with the Royal Family, The Queen's visit to the trust's HQ at Thoresby College, Queen Street, was an exciting first.
A crowd of around 40 people braved the blustery January weather to welcome The Queen, who arrived in a maroon Bentley at 11.40am. Wearing a powder-pink checked skirt and jacket with black shoes and gloves, she was greeted by rapturous applause
The Queen was welcomed by chairman Mr Tony Williams and the trust's patron the Earl of Leicester, before heading inside to meet people involved in the trust past and present, including some of those involved from the early days in the late 1950s.
The reception took place against the backdrop of a new display charting the trust's work over the past 50 years.
The Queen unveiled a plaque, commemorating both the trust's 50th anniversary and her visit, and signed a portrait and the visitors' book, which was signed by her mother 25 years before.
She also met West Norfolk Council's leader Mr Nick Daubney and its chief executive Mr Ray Harding and West Norfolk Mayor Mrs Kathy Mellish, who was also at The Queen's visit to Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the same day.
Lynn Preservation Trust director David Higgins told the Lynn News: "The visit really could not have gone better.
"We are honoured that The Queen should come and celebrate our 50th anniversary, especially since her mother was our patron for so long. It has given the trust a real lift in its 50th year."
Vice-chairman Mr David Woodcock, who rounded off the reception with a vote of thanks, said: "It all went delightfully. The visit was nicely informal and for us it was a seal of approval.
"It only lasted half-an-hour, but it means so much to the committee. It has encouraged us and we feel spurred on."
Mr Woodcock's grandchildren Thomas (10) and Jessica Anderson (7), from Gayton, attended the historic day, which he said was made extra special by the presence of his family.
As she left the college, Jessica, who attends Ashwicken First School, presented The Queen with a bouquet.
Afterwards Jessica said: "I am very grateful I got to see The Queen. I felt very happy and nervous."
Speaking after the visit, Mr Williams thanked members of the committee for the "huge amount" of work which had gone into the visit and raised a champagne toast to the next 50 years.
Founded in 1958 by Lady Joan Evershed, the trust was formed by the town's civic society to restore the final two wings of Hampton Court, on the corner of Nelson Street.
It has since restored more than a dozen buildings of special historical and architectural interest in the heart of Lynn, including six fishermen's cottages in Pilot Street, Clifton House and the 16th century Thoresby College itself.
The trust, which has charitable status, is currently working to restore the Greenland Fishery, a Grade II-listed building in Bridge Street, dating back to 1605. I felt very happy and nervous.”
Speaking after the visit, Mr Williams thanked members of the committee for the “huge amount” of work which had gone into the visit and raised a champagne toast to the next 50 years.
Founded in 1958 by Lady Joan Evershed, the trust was formed by the town’s civic society to restore the final two wings of Hampton Court, on the corner of Nelson Street.
It has since restored more than a dozen buildings of special historical and architectural interest in the heart of Lynn, including six fishermen’s cottages in Pilot Street, Clifton House and the 16th century Thoresby College itself
The trust, which has charitable status, is currently working to restore the Greenland Fishery, a Grade II-listed building in Bridge Street, dating back to 1605.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
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