This afternoon, the Cornwall Federation of Women’s Institutes was represented by Chair Helen Kestle and Trustee Penny Picton at the Special Commemorative Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at Truro Cathedral. You can see the full stream of the service here:

In August 2016, I left the Isles of Scilly and travelled to Penzance ready to board the sleeper train for a very special, much anticipated trip to London. Along with my-sister in-law, the Secretary of Catford WI (West Kent), I was going to see a display of the Queen’s wardrobe covering her entire life and […]

Memories of the Coronation in 1953: I was 12 years old in 1953 and my dad bought a 9-inch  black and white TV so that we could watch the Coronation. We were the only family with a TV and so all our neighbours (in Liverpool) were invited to come and watch with us. I remember […]

I saw the Queen when she visited Liskeard in 1956. My parents, sister and I looked on as she arrived, as we stood in an upstairs window of the pub on the Parade, Liskeard. – Jenny Jacock, Downderry and Seaton WI

I was fortunate to be present at the National Trust Anniversary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on one of the hottest days in July 1995. I stood behind one of the ladies who was being presented to Her Majesty so I had a wonderful view of the Queen. Dressed in yellow and carrying a parasol […]

I met the Queen about 25 years ago in Pendennis Castle on her visit to Falmouth. I was presented to her and shook her hand as she asked “And who are you?” The Duke of Edinburgh followed behind laughing and joking with everyone. It was very special and an event to treasure. I didn’t wear […]

In the 1970s I was a musician in the Women’s Royal Army Corps Staff Band based in Guildford, Surrey. On the 26 May 1979, HM Queen Elizabeth visited the WRAC Centre in Guildford. I was playing tenor saxophone in the band at the ceremony and she came to inspect us. – Janina Waterman, Vice President, […]

British Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, has written a touching poem to mark the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In the poem, titled Floral Tribute, Simon describes the coming of a September evening and the appearance of a lily-of-the-valley, one of the Queen’s favourite flowers. These beautiful and fragrant white flowers were included in […]

As a member of the Girls’ Brigade I was part of a group that was presented to Her Majesty in 1977 for her Silver Jubilee. I didn’t speak to her personally as the younger members were at the front by the rope.  Also as a member of the Girls’ Brigade, I worked for the Queen’s […]

For several years my husband and I attended Royal Ascot and were privileged to watch the Queen and members of her family mingle with other race goers. As has been described in detail, her love of horses was very apparent at these meetings and it was a pleasure to see her so relaxed. Unfortunately we […]