Hardly a spare seat was left earlier today (12 June) as Marlborough celebrated the 90th Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen with a service of thanksgiving at St Mary’s Church, followed by a reception at the Town Hall for all present at St Mary’s.
Led by The Reverend Canon Andrew Studdert-Kennedy the service also included a rare Pathe News film clip from 1947 of a 21 year old Princess Elizabeth (as she was then) of the radio broadcast she recorded in Cape Town whilst on a tour of South Africa to celebrate her birthday.
Residents of Marlborough also born in 1926 were presented with bouquets by The Rev’d Canon Studdert-Kennedy, who also presented representatives from local schools and community groups with copies of ‘The Servant Queen’.
After the service, everyone back to the Town Hall for Royal CupCakes (adorned either with Crowns or Union Jacks) and a glass of Bucks Fizz.
Present at the service and reception that followed were an array of Marlborough’s former mayors, mayors from other towns nearby, representatives of Marlborough’s many and varied community groups and as many residents of the town who wanted to celebrate this momentous occasion.
The Mayor Cllr Noel Barrett-Morton took the opportunity to capture a lasting image of the occasion and what could possibly be a first – a ‘Civic Selfie’ – of as many present that could possibly fit into the frame – all wishing Her Majesty a Happy Birthday.
Present also was a display of a collection of articles and memorabilia of Marlborough covering the 90 years of Her Majesty’s life, with particular emphasis on 1926.