Royal visit
Residents meet Queen

By Ian Dipple 13/07 Updated: 13/07 12:23

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A WOMAN who founded Macmillan nursing in Redditch and Bromsgrove and a councillor whose work helped shorten the Second World War were among the community servants from across the area presented to The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to the county on Wednesday (July 11).

Charlotte 'Betty' Webb was among the residents chosen to attend a special reception at the Guildhall where they were presented to one of the two Royal visitors.

The Wythall resident was chosen for her work at Bletchley Park, where the Government Code and Cypher School was based. It is widely believed she, and her fellow ATS colleagues, helped save Britain from another two years of war. Betty was also seconded to The Pentagon in America for a time.

She moved to Wythall in 1985 and is the vice-chairman of Wythall Parish Council.

Betty said it was an honour to see Her Majesty and she also spoke to the Duke.

"I told him about my work at Bletchley Park and he asked me if I had been to the memorial there.

"The whole day was splendid - Not everybody gets to be in the presence of The Queen."

Ida Parkinson, who founded Macmillan nursing in Redditch and Bromsgrove, was also present and got to meet The Queen.

"I told her all I had done and she said to me 'it's very hard work well done'. It was a real privilege and honour to meet her and a memorable day."

Doreen Cross was chauffeured to the event in a Rolls Royce, arranged for her by Simon Thomas of Thomas Brothers, and she got to meet Prince Philip and also received a smile and a wave from The Queen who was just a few feet away.

The 88-year-old, who spent 20 years working as a carer and who leads the choir at Terry Spring Court where she is a resident, said: "It was out of this world and something that will never happen to me again in my lifetime."

Royal fan and community leader Tanweer Dean met the Duke of Edinburgh and presented Her Majesty with a special card detailing the jubilee party she had organised at the Sandycroft Centre in June, as well as a book she had created marking Her Majesty's 60 years on the throne.

Mrs Dean, chair of the British Asian Women’s Group, said: "She smiled at me and she was so close to me it was wonderful to see her. I feel honoured somebody nominated me."

Rev Robin Baker, minister at Oasis Christian Centre in Plymouth Road who works with the homeless, said: "She thanked me for the work I do and I congratulated her on her Diamond Jubilee. It was a privilege to be there as I am sure there were a lot of people there who do a lot more for the community than me but it was a great experience."

THOUSANDS of people, including many from Redditch, turned out to welcome The Queen this week on her first official visit to the county for more than a decade.

Her Majesty formally opened The Hive in Worcester, the county's new £60million public library and history centre, before she took a tour down the city's High Street to the historic Guildhall where she met a number of residents from across Worcestershire who had been invited in honour of their contribution to their communities.

She then enjoyed a two course lunch, including fresh asparagus and pancetta wrapped free-range chicken breast, with civic dignitaries including Redditch MP Karen Lumley, Mayor Alan Mason and council leader Bill Hartnett who said it had been an honour to represent the borough at the event.

"She is a remarkable woman who does a remarkable job and the programme she has undertaken this year for the jubilee would challenge an Olympic athlete. The people turned out to support her tremendously and it was an honour to be a part of it," he said.

For more on the visit turn to pages eight and nine.