Old Ledbury - Royal Visits

Royal Visits

Royal Visits

1893 - Queen Mary ( Princess Mary of Teck)

Princess Mary of Teck passed through the town with her parents and brothers, in carriages drawn by white horses, with outriders. They were visiting Lady Henry SOMERSET at Eastnor Castle.

1902 - Visit of Princess Henry of BATTENBERG to Ledbury and Eastnor Castle.

1934 June 13 - Duke and Duchess of York

Both the Duke and Duchess of York visited Ledbury on their way to the Three Counties Show, carrying out a royal inspection of ex-servicemen, Guides and other local groups.

The Duchess won hearts when she insisted on walking back up the High Street to meet a group of waiting school children.

Then in May 1937, after the death of King George V and the abdication of King Edward VIII, Elizabeth became Queen.

( Chris PONTER Collection )

( Alice HOLDEN Collection )

1937 July 26 - Queen Mary

When staying at Eastnor Castle, with Lord and Lady SOMERS, Queen Mary once more visited the town, her carriage halted at the War Memorial where a bouquet was presented, and at the Cottage Hospital where she signed the visitors book.

1937 - Queen Mary At Ledbury On Thursday

Queen Mary who will be the guest of Lord and Lady Somers, at Eastnor Castle until Saturday, will make one public appearance on Thursday, when she will lay the foundation stone of the new Public Assistance Hospital at Hereford.
On the drive from Eastnor to hereford, her Majesty will halt for two minutes at Ledbury at 2.37 p.m., when the Council Chairman will be presented to her, and the daughter of a local councillor, Miss Eileen MORGAN, will present Queen Mary with a bouquet.

1937 - Queen Mary and Station Master Percy TOW

( Roger BAKER Collection )

1937 - Arrival At Eastnor Castle

A large crowd witnessed the arrival of Queen Mary at Eastnor castle, including school children, workmen on the estate, many of the residents and a company of Nottingham Girl Guides who are in camp in the park.

sty was loudly cheered as her car drove through the castle gates and proceeded along the drive.

A crowd had earlier in the afternoon assembled at Shrub Hill Station, Worcester, where the Royal train made a short stop. They had a good view of Queen Mary, who responded to their greetings by waving her hand and bowing.

At Malvern station her Majesty was cheered by a crowd of over 200 people who waved Union Jacks and handkerchiefs as the train drew into the station. Queen Mary came to the window of the coach and waved back to the crowd, continuing to do so as the train resumed its journey to Ledbury.

1957 April 24 - Queen Elizabeth II

( Roger BAKER Collection )

Waiting for the Queen to arrive outside the front of the station.

( Janet BETTISON ( Drew ) Collection )

Jenny and Mr PALMER's dog.

( Jenny LAWRENCE ( Gough ) Collection )

The Queen arriving at Ledbury Station on the royal train, greeted by Stationmaster W. C. T. BROOKES

( Janet BETTISON ( Drew ) Collection )

The Queen greeted by local digniteries.

( David and Sheila NEALE Collection )

2 tickets giving permission to be on the platform at Ledbury station. On the reverse of the tickets Mr J DAVIES and Mrs J DAVIES and Two Children.

( David and Sheila NEALE Collection )

Early morning Ledbury - 23 or 24 April taken from the flat over Tilleys where I lived at the time.

( Janet BETTISON ( Drew ) Collection )

John HILL (Hops) Ltd, Top Cross.

( Janet BETTISON ( Drew ) Collection )

The Queen meets local dignitaries outside the Market house. Presenting them is the chairman of the Ledbury U. D. C. Mr W G WARREN.

( Sarah FLETCHER Collection )

Marie SOLEY presents a bouquet to the Queen outside the Market House.

( Berrows Souvenir Booklet )

HRH is talking to The Chairman of Ledbury Town Mr Walter WARREN J.P.

( Brenda HILL ( Davis ) Collection )

The Queen smiles at the large crowd which assembled outside the Market House

( Berrows Souvenir Booklet )

The Queen and the Duke walking along Hight Street.

( Roger BAKER Collection )

VIDEO ON MACE ARCHIVE

Click the image to watch an excellent video of the visit to Ledbury from ATV Televison News - a super 3 mins and 47 secs

1960 June 23 - Queen Mother

The Queen Mother, as she became known after being widowed in 1951. Stopped in Ledbury to be presented to local dignitaries, after completing engagements in Leominster and Hereford.

Hidden from rain with a loaned umbrella, she received flowers from nine-year-old schoolgirl Lynne BALDWIN before making a private visit to the Colwall home of the Lord Lieutenant of the County, Viscount Cilcennin.

Think I had a "lucky " silver threepenny bit in my glove hence the hand in second pic ! The mayor was a Mr BROWN and Dick TURNER plainly visible under the market house.

Sources
1897 - 1980 A Retrospect Tilleys Almanacks - Herefordshire History
Photographs are credited to the owners where possible
Comments in italics are from the Old Ledbury Facebook Group
Cuttings from Old Ledbury Reporter Newspapers