St. Peter’s Church, Boxted Flower Festival 11th & 12th June 2016

Guide to Exhibits

The Porch

1. Clean for the Queen Stephen Whybrow, Coordinator of Boxted Litter Pickers

‘Clean for the Queen’ is a campaign launched by Country Life magazine in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy to clear up Britain in time for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday, which is officially celebrated this weekend. Boxted Litter Pickers comprise about 25 volunteers who have been keeping the roads and lanes of Boxted free from litter since 2008. More volunteers are always welcome.

The South Aisle

2. The Royal Yacht Britannia Dot Garner

The 83rd in a long line of royal yachts dating back to 1660 and Charles II, Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia was used as a base for 700 royal visits, entertaining and royal holidays, including Charles and Diana’s honeymoon. The Queen described Britannia as a place in which she could truly relax. Britannia is now moored in Edinburgh's port of Leith and is open to the public as a visitor attraction and hospitality venue.

3. 90th Birthday Cake Elaine Mott

No birthday is complete without a cake! commissioned The Great British Bake Off Winner, Nadiya Hussain, to make the official birthday cake. Given free reign, she made a three‐tier orange drizzle cake with a butter cream and marmalade filling which she described as ‘the complete opposite of a traditional cake’.

4. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Open Door Café

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is an annual award given to groups in the voluntary sector to recognise outstanding work done in their communities. The award is the equivalent to the MBE and is the highest award that can be made to a voluntary group. ‘Open Door’ is a drop‐in café at Boxted Village Hall open on Friday mornings during term time. It is a Church initiative and everyone is welcome.

5. Swan Upping Linda Trelau

Swan Upping is an ancient ceremony taking place every year in the third week of July and is a census of the Swan population on the Thames. The Queen exercises her right of ownership over all unmarked mute swans, a claim dating back to the 12th Century, when the birds were seen as a tasty delicacy. Nowadays, Swan Upping plays an important role in the conservation of the mute swan.

6. Birthday Surprise Bridget Giblin, The Royal British Legion, Boxted Branch

Her Majesty The Queen is Patron of the Royal British Legion and Commander‐in‐Chief of the Armed Forces. Each November the Queen attends the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, ahead of leading the Nation at the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday. The Festival of Remembrance is the longest running live television broadcast. The Queen first attended as Princess Elizabeth and since becoming Monarch, has missed only two performances. Barry Took was honoured to be chosen as Standard Bearer for the Boxted Legion at the 2015 Festival to represent the Fallen.

7. Anniversary Messages Eileen and Bob Bird, proud recipients of a Diamond Wedding Card from the Queen

Each year thousands of birthdays and anniversary cards are sent on behalf of the Queen to people celebrating significant milestones. For many receiving a congratulatory card from Her Majesty is a very special part of their celebrations. It is a tradition that goes back to 1917. Cards are sent to those celebrating their 100th and 105th birthday and every year thereafter and to those celebrating their Diamond Wedding (60th), 65th and 70th Wedding Anniversaries and every year thereafter.

8. Palace Garden Parties Fillpots Garden Centre and Cafe Restaurant

Every summer the Queen hosts three garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at Holyrood House in Edinburgh. Garden parties are an important way for the Queen to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their communities. Garden parties replaced the presentation of debutants at Court, which ended in 1958.

9. Chelsea Flower Show Tracey Wells

Her Majesty is Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, which puts on possibly the World’s greatest flower show for five days in May in the grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Queen visits the show each year, often accompanied by members of the Royal family. In recognition of the Queen’s birthday this year, the show featured a photographic exhibit, a floral arch and a 10ft high floral display in the shape of a giant portrait of the Queen.

10. The Imperial State Crown Boxted St. Peter's CEVC Primary School

The Crown was originally made for the Coronation of in 1838. It incorporates many gemstones including the diamond known as the Second Star of Africa, the Black Prince’s Ruby, the Stuart Sapphire, St. Edward’s Sapphire and Queen Elizabeth Pearls. Before her Coronation, the Queen wore the Crown around the Palace to get used to its weight. The children of St. Peter’s School have designed their own spiritual garden, away from the playground, planned around the theme of St. Peter.

11. State Visit to the Republic of Ireland Annette Whybrow

In 60 years, the Queen has undertaken 261 official overseas visits, including 78 State Visits to 116 different countries. The Queen made a remarkable State Visit to Ireland in May 2011, 100 years after the last visit by a British Monarch. The respect in which she is held helped to bring about an historic catharsis.

The Chancel

12. The Coronation Elaine Mott

The Queen is the longest serving Monarch in British history. The Coronation took place on 2nd June 1953 at Westminster Abbey. The Coronation Ceremony, an occasion for pageantry and celebration, is also a solemn religious service and has remained essentially the same over a thousand years. It was the World’s first major international event to be broadcast on television.

13. Scottish Country Dancing Heather Dennis for McLauchlans of Boxted

Balmoral is a special place for the Queen. It is there she spent part of her honeymoon and where she takes her annual holiday in August and September. The Queen has a keen interest in Scottish Country Dancing. Each year, during her stay at , the Queen gives dances, known as Ghillies’ Balls for neighbours, estate and castle staff and members of the local community.

14. Jubilees Liz Petter, Boxted Methodist Silver Band

The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 was the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne. To mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled throughout the United Kingdom and the World to express their thanks to people for their support and loyalty over her 50‐year reign. There was a special bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, to honour the 60‐year reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

15. Maundy Money Annette Whybrow

Every Maundy Thursday, the day on which the Church commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus, the Queen distributes special Maundy money in red and white leather pouches to elderly men and women equal in number to her age. She visits a different Cathedral or Abbey nearly every year. This is a modern day version of an ancient ceremony known in England since around AD600.

16. The Order of the Garter Heather Dennis

The Order of the Garter, founded in 1348 by King Edward III, is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. The Knights, now both male and female, are chosen in recognition of their public service. The spiritual home of the Order is in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. Today, the Order includes the Queen, who is Sovereign of the Garter, several members of the Royal family and 24 Knights, chosen personally by the Sovereign.

17. The Prince of Wales Penny Stone

The investiture of the Queen’s eldest son, Charles as The Prince of Wales, took place on 1st July 1969 at Caernarvon Castle, when he was 20 years old. The tradition of investing the Heir Apparent of the British Monarch ‘Prince of Wales’ began in 1301. The Prince studied Welsh Language and History for months at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, in advance of his investiture and made a speech in Welsh.

18. Elizabeth Line Penny Stone

It was announced on 23rd February 2016 that Crossrail is to be named the Elizabeth Line in honour of Her Majesty and will be designated on maps by the colour purple. The Queen was presented with a commemorative Elizabeth Roundel in the distinctive purple colour. It was noted that the Queen’s outfit on the day toned in with the colour of the new line. The Queen became the first reigning Monarch to travel on the London Underground in 1969, when she opened the Victoria service.

19. Changing the Guard Boxted Methodist Church

Changing the Guard, also known as Guard Mounting, is carried out by soldiers on active duty from the Foot Guards who have guarded the Sovereign and the Royal Palaces since 1660. Accompanied by a full Military Band, the ceremony is both a colourful military tradition and an important reminder of the close relationship between the Armed Forces and their Head: The Queen.

The North Aisle

20. The Commonwealth Sarah Rees

The Queen has been since 6th February 1952. The Commonwealth of Nations currently comprises 53 Sovereign States almost all of which were formerly under British Rule. Members are united by language, history and culture enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter and promote the Commonwealth Games. The Queen is Head of State of 15 Commonwealth countries, in addition to the United Kingdom.

21. Horse Racing Judy Large

One of the Queen’s favourite leisure activities is horse racing. Her Majesty takes a particular interest in breeding thoroughbreds for racing. The Royal racing colours are purple, gold braid, scarlet sleeves, and a black velvet cap with gold fringe. She has won every one of the five British Classic Races, except the Epsom Derby.

22. Patron of the Women’s Institute Boxted Women’s Institute

Her Majesty is Patron of The Women’s Institute and President of Sandringham WI. Her Majesty joins members at West Newton Village Hall for a post‐Christmas meeting every year towards the end of her annual winter break. She became a member of Sandringham WI in 1943.

23. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Boxted Parish Council

Philip married Elizabeth on 20th November 1947. He is the oldest‐ever male member of the British Royal family and has been Consort for over 60 years. As well as supporting the Queen on a large number of engagements the Duke of Edinburgh is Patron or President of some 800 organisations. The Duke of Edinburgh Award was first launched in 1956 and has become the World’s leading youth achievement award.

24. Couture and Hats Boxted Evergreens

In 60 years of dressing for the public eye, the Queen has never put a sensibly shod foot wrong. In the early years, she was aided in particular by two couturiers, Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies. The Queen’s signature look is head‐to‐toe block colour. Hats are an essential Royal formality, whilst making her easy to spot from afar on official engagements. Her Launer handbags are instantly recognisable.

25. Companionable Corgis Sarah Rees

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are famed for being the preferred breed of the Queen who has owned more than 30 during her reign. ‘My corgis are friends,’ the Queen has said. Whenever possible, the Queen feeds the corgis herself and leads them on daily walks. The surviving Royal corgis are named Holly and Willow.

26. Portrait on Banknotes Stephen Whybrow

On 17th March 1960 the Bank of England issued a new £1 banknote. The pound note was the first UK note to carry a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Five different portraits of the Queen by four different designers have appeared on banknotes since 1960. Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait has appeared on the banknotes of Great Britain’s colonies, prior to independence and a number of nations, which retain her as Head of State, have kept her image on banknotes. In all, 26 portraits have been identified.

27. Love of Family St. Peter’s Church Youth Group

The Duke of Cambridge in the preface to a biography of the Queen by Lord Hurd writes ‘From a personal point of view, I am privileged to witness the private side of the Queen, as a grandmother and great grandmother.’ ‘The Queen’s kindness and sense of humour, her innate sense of calm and perspective, and her love of family and home are all attributes I experience first hand.’

28. In A Golden Coach Derek Kirby, Boxted History Group

Derek was in Class 2L of Haverstock School in 1953. To mark the Coronation, their music teacher, Miss Filpott, taught the class to sing ‘In A Golden Coach’ which they went on to record at Columbia Studios, St. John’s Wood. The Borough of St. Pancras presented each pupil with a commemorative book about the growth of London.

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The Rector and PCC are very grateful to all those who have worked so hard to produce wonderful displays using their own flowers and materials. Thanks also to those who have lent precious memorabilia, which have helped to bring this event to life. Finally thank you to Tim Smith who has contributed to the printing costs of this Guide.

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We hope you have enjoyed your visit to the Flower Festival here in the lovely church of St. Peter’s, Boxted. The church was built in the 11th Century and has been added to and cared for by many generations of parishioners.

Your donations will help us maintain it for future generations.