IT IS with great sadness, that we mourn the loss of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, following her passing at Balmoral Castle last Thursday. Our country’s link to a bygone era and a constant presence throughout almost all of our lives, she will be sorely missed. As the Prime Minister said on Thursday evening, Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built.

Queen Elizabeth II has been the heart and soul of the United Kingdom dedicating her life in every way to this country, its citizens, the Commonwealth, and beyond for over 70 years.

We have not seen her like before and are unlikely to see another like her. She was special, not least acting as a bridge to historical milestones and individuals; a shining example for us all. We owe her our love, our gratitude and our long term respect for what she achieved. She will never be forgotten and may she rest in peace.

In celebrating Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on few of her visits to Teignbridge over the decades.

In July 1952, Queen Elizabeth II made the first visit of a reigning Monarch to Newton Abbot in 300 years! This was the first provincial town the Queen visited since she took to the throne in the February.

The Royal Train arrived at the newly decorated station at Newton Abbot in the morning where the Queen was greeted by 50,000 people who packed the streets and Courtenay Park to welcome her.

Her Majesty first met with the dignitaries led by the High Sheriff of Devon, Sir Reginald Leeds, and the Chairman of the Newton Abbot Urban District Council, Cllr Norman P Roberts.

She then proceeded to visit Courtenay Park to inspect a Guard of Honour headed by the Royal Artillery Band; and to be welcomed by the large group of local school children and families who had been waiting patiently for their first glimpse of their new young Queen. The first couple to arrive in Courtenay Park appeared that morning at 5.15am.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, The Queen was then driven slowly through the decorated streets of Newton Abbot town centre to the Royal Show Ground at Stover for the Royal Agricultural Show where thousands were waiting to greet her.

At the Royal Show, as the Queen passed through the crowds on her way from the gymkhana to the Milk Marketing Board pavilion, young girl pressed her way to the front of the crowd and remarked that the Queen wasn’t wearing her crown. The Queen said : ‘No, I have left it at home today,’ with a smile.

Her Majesty also took time to award medals and trophies to farm workers including to William Henry Charles Miller who had completed 57 years of service working as a horseman at Rew’s Farm, Newton Abbot.

On August 5,1977 Her Majesty returned to Newton Abbot for a more fleeting visit during which the MDA described that ‘the gleaming black limousines drove along the route much quicker than anticipated’.

Though the dignitaries were back out on an official platform, the Queen was more taken by the large group of children waiting beside the road in patriotic attire and wielding Union Jacks.

Her Majesty’s most recent visit was in 1980 to commemorate the refurbishment of Forde House, where King George I had been entertained in the Parlour in 1625.

On this sunny day, the Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, was also shown to the room where William of Orange had slept in 1688. During his visit he had proclaimed, for the first time in Newton Abbot, of his intention to become King of England.

With the passing of the second Elizabethan age, we usher in a new era, that of His Majesty King Charles III. My thoughts are with His Majesty the King and other members of the Royal Family at this time. God save the King.