Gosport residents hold very British celebration for The Queen's 90th

A HUGE picture of the Queen, Union Flag bunting, and an afternoon tea made for a memorable occasion for residents at a care home.
The Mayor of Gosport Councillor Keith Farr with Canford Manor resident Tess Jenkins and manager Angie Hooper Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160696-2)The Mayor of Gosport Councillor Keith Farr with Canford Manor resident Tess Jenkins and manager Angie Hooper Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160696-2)
The Mayor of Gosport Councillor Keith Farr with Canford Manor resident Tess Jenkins and manager Angie Hooper Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160696-2)

Staff at Canford Manor Nursing Home, in Lee-on-the-Solent, pulled out all the stops to make sure residents celebrated the Queen’s 90th birthday in style.

And they were delighted when the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Keith Farr, dropped in and drew the winners of a raffle.

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Among those joining in the fun was Fiona Gardner, a retired actress who was born on September 19, 1926.

The 89-year-old said: ‘The Queen is absolutely super.

‘She goes out and talks to people without having any necessity.

‘I think she’s very normal and very easygoing. She’s first rate.’

Tessa Jenkins, 82, is a retired milliner and has admired many of the Queen’s hats over the years.

‘I like everything,’ she said.

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‘She’s a good woman. She does her duty. She has a hat for every occasion.’

The weekend of fun was put together by Jane Palmer and her husband Mark Palmer, who run the home.

Residents enjoyed nostalgic music and popular movies, including The Queen and The King’s Speech, were played on the television.

Some of the staff dressed up as Land Girls.

Jane said: ‘It’s a really big deal that the Queen is 90.

‘That generation are traditionally royalist and it’s lovely to be able to do something for them.’

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It was one of the last events for on his mayoral year for Cllr Farr.

‘It’s brilliant to celebrate this occasion,’ he said.

‘We even went up to Buckingham Palace and went to the Queen’s garden party.

‘Coming to this has been the icing on the cake.’

Meanwhile, the Merrick family, from Denmead, were invited yesterday to Windsor Castle for afternoon tea and a concert.

Seven-year-old Sam Merrick, who was born with a serious condition and is the inspiration behind the charity Sam’s Haven, joined Andrea Bocelli at the castle after being nominated by Waitrose, which supports the charity.

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