Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations went with a swing in Chelmsley Wood
The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations went with a swing for 130 elderly residents in Chelmsley Wood who had tea and cake, and danced 1950s style to hits from the Queen’s coronation era.
Songs on the menu for the Royal Tea Party included Doris Day’s ‘Whatever Will Be, Will Be’ (Que Sera Sera), and ‘Pillow Talk’, Nat King Cole’s ‘L-O-V-E’, and Ella Fitgerald’s ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing’.
The event was hosted by Grace Academy, in partnership with Age UK Solihull, and attended by The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Mike Robinson, The Mayoress of Solihull, Mrs Jenny Robinson, and Caroline Spelman MP.
The Mayor of Solihull said:
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Britain’s longest reigning Monarch, is a truly outstanding example of what it means to dedicate a life to duty and service to others. Throughout her reign she has consistently demonstrated her devotion and love of her subjects. She has done this, we must remember, while still being a wife, mother and grandmother, and now great grandmother. She is at the very heart of our nation; the one symbol more than any other that is loved, revered and respect by all the peoples of this United Kingdom. Your Majesty, Happy 90th birthday.”
Caroline Spelman MP added:
“The Queen has been an outstanding figurehead all my life. To reign with such good grace and dignity is a wonderful example.”
One of the guests, Althea Greenaway, aged 69, vividly remembers the Queen’s Coronation, saying:
“My grandparents bought their first tiny black and white television so we could watch the coronation and I cut all the pictures out of the newspaper to make a scrapbook. We then got presented with mugs and coins from school and I’ve still got them. I think the Queen’s fantastic, a great role model, inspirational and hard working. It is great to see her at 90 doing what she does.”
Another guest, Janet Welch aged 74, said:
“On the coronation day we had a street party. I was only young and my sister made me a coronation outfit with crepe paper that was purple and blue, and I won a prize which was a book about the Royal Family.”
Guest Janice Hunt, aged 72, said:
“For the coronation, we were all sitting down on the floor, crammed into one room watching the coronation on a 9-inch screen in black and white. We had a party in the street and I had a crown money box as a present.”
Rosie Hough who is 86 years old commented:
“I was invited to the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace in 1996 as I had given 30 years of unbroken services caring for the elderly in Birmingham. My husband and I were able to walk through the grounds and enjoy tea, cakes and ice creams on the lawn of the palace. The Queen was wonderful and looked beautiful in a pink floral dress. It was such a special day and I will never forget it.”
Dance tuition was on hand from local expert Teresa Farrell who sings and dances to help people in the Chelmsley Wood area improve their sense of well-being and general level of fitness. Teresa said:
“I’ve been teaching the old time dances and hopefully bringing back memories for everyone. I’m sure singing and dancing helps you to live longer.
“Singing and dancing helped me to come off anti-depressants and recover from a marriage separation, so I just want to help other people in this area.”
Lorraine Hart, Fundraising Manager from Age UK Solihull added:
“We are so grateful to Grace Academy for putting on such a brilliant event for many of our clients. One of the many issues faced in later life is that of loneliness and isolation. Getting together for a dance and sing-song to commemorate the Queen’s 90th is a great way to lift the spirits, make new friends and help with general health and well-being.”
Grace Academy Solihull wanted to host the Royal Tea Party to celebrate the Queen’s birthday with local residents and help them to have a fun afternoon filled with memories of the Queen’s life. Laura Wadley said:
“We thought a traditional afternoon tea party would be a wonderful way to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. We wanted to invite senior citizens from the local community to enjoy an afternoon of food, entertainment and dancing. Students have been working hard to prepare performances and help organise the event. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring generations together and create new fun memories!”
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