The big news in Chichester this week was the hugely successful visit of Her Majesty The Queen. What an honour to be part of a line up to be presented to her as she visited The Chichester Festival Theatre. She started her day meeting the staff at the Canine Partners charity in Heyshott. This UK wide charity transforms the lives of people living with physical disabilities by training dogs to do amazing things to help around the house. These life-changing dogs also provide psychological and social benefits by increasing independence and confidence. I haven’t yet visited the charity but I’m very much looking forward to seeing this training in action.
Next stop was our wonderful Festival Theatre where a group of local people involved in undertaking civic duties across Chichester had the opportunity to be presented to Her Majesty. I was next to Bishop Martin and the Chief Constable of Sussex Police, Giles York. I had practiced my curtsey all morning but, I must say, it is not as easy as it looks in heels.
The programme put on by the youth theatre was amazing with performances from Fiddler on the Roof and the new show Beauty and the Beast. Oona the amazing Elephant puppet also made an appearance and was a bit hit with the crowds outside as well. Many people lined the entrance to the Festival Theatre and gave the Queen a huge cheer as she arrived. She spent a few minutes chatting to the people who had braved the cold to give her a warm welcome in Chichester.
The Queen was absolutely radiant and looked really pleased to see a display of wonderful pictures of the Queen and Prince Philip during their last visit over fifty years ago. She joined a group of us for lunch which was topped off by a reading by Dame Patricia Routledge who was on fine form as always.
The Queen is the epitome of public service and her continued dedication to the people of the UK and beyond is nothing short of remarkable. We were very lucky that she found time in her busy schedule to visit us in Chichester and it was an occasion that meant so much to all involved.