Royal family returns to Portsmouth but there’s no chance of a cuppa | Nostalgia

What amazes John were the prizes that were on offer which would be frowned on today. For up for grabs were cigarettes and a caged budgie.

What would annoy me more is being told which prize I would have if I were first out of the hat.

Surely, the prizes should have been on offer and the owner of the first ticket drawn should have been able to choose his or her prize? If the owner was not at the draw then he or she should have got whatever was left.

Had I been at the draw and my ticket drawn first I would have wanted the camera not a picnic basket or a budgie.

I wonder if there are any survivors of the show still with us who can say what standards were reached by the exhibitors.

In the reproduction programme cover we can see The Dell at Southsea as it was in the 1950s with the amazing flower displays planted by the Portsmouth parks department with plants grown at the city nursery in Leigh Park Gardens, Havant.

• When you or I return home from holiday or perhaps a day trip to France, we would arrive back at the ferry port, jump in a taxi and get home for a cup of tea. I bet the royal family wish they could do the same.

In 1947 King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the two princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, toured South Africa. HMS Vanguard was used as there was no royal yacht at that time. In May the family arrived back in Portsmouth but there was no going straight home.

On landing at South Railway Jetty there were dignitaries and senior naval officers to shake hands with. Then the King had to inspect a royal guard of sailors. Then, perhaps, be taken to Portsmouth Harbour station for a train to Waterloo? Nothing like it.

The royal party was taken to the Guildhall where thousands had turned out. On the steps, flowers were presented and more dignitaries introduced. Then there were veterans to be spoken to.

Eventually it was time to leave and the family walked to the Town station where there were many more residents to greet them. At last they boarded the all-Pullman royal train to Waterloo. Was that it? No chance.

At Waterloo there was hand-shaking with the prime minister and dignitaries and then an open coach to Buckingham Palace where thousands more where there to greet them. Birdcage Walk was packed 10 deep. Time for tea? No chance for it was on to the balcony for more waving.