Flags and bunting... not for a wedding, but a visit!
THIS Saturday (May 19) the flags and bunting will be out as people gather to celebrate the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle.
Here in Southport we are no strangers to royal celebrations, with a number of memorable visits in years gone by.
Thirty-five years ago, on June 24, 1983, hundreds of people lined Lord Street to welcome Princess Alexandra, as she arrived to officially open the BEN Alexandra 86-bed nursing and residential centre.
The former Brunswick Hotel was bought and converted by the Motor & Allied Trades Benevolent Fund (BEN), a not-for-profit organisation that partners with the automotive industry to provide support to its people and their families.
BEN invited HRH Princess Alexandra KG, GCVO to open the building and named it in her honour, due to her patronage of the automotive industry charity.
Among those present at the royal opening was vicar David Reynolds.
He said: “When I was Vicar of St Paul’s in the 1980s I was Chaplain to the home.
“We had regular Holy Communion taken to the sick and once a month I took a service in the Chapel which was on the bottom floor. There was a lift to it and folk were wheelchaired in.
“I have a photo of the Princess being introduced to a number of us in the Chapel including my good friend Rabbi Sidney Kay from the Reformed Synagogue who was a great visitor there.
“Princess Alexandra was very elegant and was genuinely interested in the work and people there. It was a memorable and joyful day.”
Mr Reynolds also has many happy memories of his time at the home, saying: “Christmases were something else with the main room being wonderfully decorated.”
Sheila James also remembered the royal visit.
She said: “Yes I worked at Alexandra House and remember the day well, Princess Alexandra was so charming that day and was the patron of BEN.”
Rosemary Connolly said: “I was outside BEN and saw her arrive. She was late because of bad weather, she landed at RAF Woodvale I believe. She looked lovely.”
Jenny Layne said: “My husband was the chef when Princess Alexandra opened Alexandra House. He was proud to cook a meal for the royal visitors.
“I also worked at Alexandra House from 1990 until 2006, it was a wonderful place for residents and staff.
“During my years at Alexandra House part of my job was decorating the halls and room ready for Christmas it was a joyous time. The residents’ needs always came first, spiritual and physical. I don’t know anyone who didn’t enjoy being part of the Alexandra House family.”
Many other people also remember their time at the home with affection.
Nikki Nelson said: “My mum worked there from 1982 to 1990 and loved her job! A couple of her clients or patients, as they were called then, moved to a specialist home in Weld Road which was built as a follow on from Alexandra House.”
Lisamarie Pedrick said: “I worked there for 20 years... it broke my heart when it closed.”
Claire Page said: “I did voluntary work at Alexandra House about five years ago sitting at a little desk by the entrance and answered the door, meeting and greeting people. It was a lovely place with lovely staff and residents. Matron was a very lovely lady and I’ll always remember what a lovely place it was!”
Margaret Murray said: “I worked at Alexandra House. Loved every day, it was not a chore to go to work it was a joy and many times after being at work for eight hours would go home and then go back if there was a function on. I miss it so much.”
Mike Scott said: “Alexandra House was originally called Sea View and was built for Sir William Pickles Hartley of Hartley’s Jam.”
On September 30, 2014, staff and residents at the home were delighted when Princess Alexandra returned to Southport to pay a return visit.
Her Royal Highness began her visit to our town by unveiing the new-look King’s Gardens following their £6m restoration.
And she followed that by calling in to BEN Alexandra House to celebrate the facility’s 30th anniversary.
Presented on arrival to senior representatives of the charity and the care centre, Her Royal Highness was escorted through the centre by BEN chief executive David Main and centre manager Jan Habeck.
Princess Alexandra spoke to each and every one of the 50 residents and 50 members of staff, including team leader Sonia Edgley, who had worked at Alexandra House since it first opened. Sonia was given the honour of presenting HRH Princess Alexandra with a posy of flowers.
A second presentation was made by Nigel Rothband, chief operating officer at BEN. Commemorating 47 years of dedication and commitment to BEN, Her Royal Highness was presented with a specially-produced photographic history of her patronage.
The day concluded when Princess Alexandra was escorted to reception, where she signed the visitors’ book.
Speaking after the event, centre manager Jan Habeck said: “HRH