Remembering a special royal moment

A PLATINUM jubilee garden party brought back some extra special memories for one of its guests.
Betty Davies, 91, enjoyed the special afternoon tea for residents and staff in the gardens of Mount Hall Bupa Care Home, which included entertainment from the Bollington Samba Band.
And it was also a chance for her to recall the day she met the Queen in Macclesfield back in 1952 – a year before the coronation.
Betty, who was born and bred in Macclesfield, still has a picture of the meeting, which happened on a royal tour of her place of work, Brocklehurst Whiston Amalgamating Silk Manufacturers.
The then Princess Elizabeth struck up a conversation with Betty. When asked by the Princess what Betty’s job involved, she told her: “I am working on the strength of the weft for silk fabrics, which is mainly used for parachutes.”
Betty, who went on to work as a laboratory assistant alongside raising her two sons, said: “I absolutely loved our Jubilee celebrations as having met the Queen just before she ascended the throne, I found it very moving to reflect on her 70 years of incredible service.
“Throughout my lifetime I have enjoyed watching many of the Queen’s big milestones – from her coronation to her wedding to her silver and gold jubilees – but still think my favourite memory is meeting her in the flesh. I will treasure that photo of our meeting forever!”