Celebrating a magnificent reign (From Gazette & Herald)

Celebrating a magnificent reign

9:20am Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in Columnists By Anne McIntosh

THE scene is set for this year’s jubilee activities, a week-long celebration of events stretching to every corner of Thirsk, Malton and Filey.

Nearly every town, village and hamlet are organising an occasion.

Locally, the festivities commence on June 2 in Crayke, Easingwold, Thirsk, Huby, Husthwaite, and Pickering, on June 3 at Kirkbymoorside, on June 4 at Coxwold, Hovingham, Topcliffe, Shackleton, the Thorntons and Otteringtons and Malton.

This provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a magnificent reign lasting 60 years and encompassing 12 serving Prime Ministers. During that period, the Queen has signed and given her Royal Ascent to 3,500 Acts of Parliament.

As a mark of our respect and affection, Parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and House of Lords have gifted Her Majesty a magnificent stained glass window on the occasion of the Queen’s Address to Parliament on March 20, 2012.

During the hospitality which was offered to the Queen after her speech, I was delighted to have the opportunity for a brief conversation, which will be my personal highlight of the jubilee year.

The Queen presides over a Commonwealth of 54 countries encompassing about one third of the world’s population.

Her Majesty will be celebrating countless acts of voluntary service and the work of the caring professions as well as paying tribute to the Armed Forces, on whom we all rely to keep us safe.

Most recently, the Queen visited York Minster on Maundy Thursday to administer the Maundy Money.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have been married for 64 years, marrying on November 24, 1947, in Westminster Abbey. The Queen has 30 godchildren.

The Queen as a role model is in a complete class of her own. As she assumed the throne, Her Majesty dedicated her life, whether it be long or short, to public service. To have served 60 years as monarch is a magnificent achievement in which all her subjects can only bask in reflected glory and congratulate her and thank her for her dedication to the country the Commonwealth and her subjects.

Long may she reign and may we learn a little each day of the enormity of what this national treasure has achieved.