The day we watched the Royal couple from a farmer’s cart
I REMEMBER the occasion in the late 1940s when the then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Yorkshire.
They were driven in an open car, along West Park in Harrogate. The length of the road is flanked by The Stray so my friend Stuart Twitchell and I, both teenagers, borrowed Farmer Clayton’s cart-horse and, seated one behind the other, rode along with a perfect running view over the heads of the crowd as the Royal couple passed along. We could tell that they noticed us and were obviously amused. We liked to think that they gave us a special wave. Perhaps they did.
A photo of our escapade appeared in the local paper. I wonder if that photo still exists. I would love to see it again.
From: Colin W Gibbs BEM,
President, Tewit Youth Band, Huby, Harrogate.
ON behalf of all at Tewit Youth Band, past and present, could I express sincere condolences for the death of His Royal Highness,
The Duke of Edinburgh? Many members of the band have been through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and have benefited from the activities. His actions have helped so many young people prepare for their future lives.
From: Hilary Andrews,
Lane, Leeds.
Nursery
I MET Prince Philip in 1982 when my daughter, Sarah received her gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at St James’s Palace. She met him again in 2002 when my grandson, Robert, received his gold award. The Duke had taken time to find out whose parents had also got their gold award and he came over to talk. My daughter was delighted. What a wonderful man.
From: Sam Willmott,
Bingley.
TO all those critical of the BBC’s coverage of Prince Philip’s death, you will be far better informed by listening to Alastair Bruce and Rhiannon Mills on Sky News – they make Nicholas Witchell and other BBC hangerson look positively third-rate by comparison. To me, Mr Bruce is now as accomplished as the late Richard Dimbleby when it comes to state occasions.
From: Michael Fanthorpe, Barnby Dun, Doncaster.
ALL things that are built to last need strong foundations. Prince Philip was the foundation on which the current Royal family depended. Irreplaceable and probably, wrongly, undervalued by most of us. Our deepest condolences to the Queen.