The Queen's Macclesfield memories in videos and pictures
By Alex Greensmith
8th Sep 2022 | Local News
The Queen visited Macclesfield twice in her lifetime, but once during her 70-year reign.
Just three years before she was coronated, she would make her first trip to Macclesfield.
The 23 year old princess made her maiden Macclesfield Royal visit on 27th June 1949 to Hurdsfield Mills, which was then run by the local silk manufacturers, Brocklehurst-Whiston Amalgamated Limited.
The young princess arrived at Macclesfield Hibel Road railway station, 11 years before it would close.
She was warmly greeted by the people of Macclesfield.
14 year-old Shirley Hankinson presented a flower bouquet to the future Queen, while Prince Philip inspected the guard of honour.
The pair were then escorted to Hurdsfield Mills.
The royal couple, then just one-and-a-half years into their marriage, spoke to workers involved in the various silk processes including warpers, winders, weavers and designers.
Stops included the designing and card cutting room, warping and sizing, as well as the weaving shed.
Her Majesty was then presented with a silk souvenir to conclude the trip.
A video of the visit can be watched here. Cut footage can also be viewed here. An eight minute clip with British Pathe narration can be found at the top of this article.
The following day, the Queen would travel to Nottingham where she would unveil the city's famous Robin Hood statue for their quincentenary celebrations.
53 years later, and to celebrate the 50 years of her reign, Queen Elizabeth would return to Macclesfield on her Golden Jubilee Tour.
She would come to Cumberland Street to visit the King's School site in 2002, which in 2022 is being turned into houses.
For the July 24 2002 visit, she was again accompanied by Prince Philip, and she met the public on the Churchill Way Cumberland Street Roundabout.
Like in 1949, she was presented with a bouquet, but this time there was many of them to be received. She also took a gift of a white stuffed bear, and even gave a small hug to a young girl.
She then hopped into a car and entered King's School grounds.
Reminiscing on the visit, King's School Macclesfield said in their Autumn 2002 newsletter: "The weather was kind to us in that it did not rain but the day was dull and overcast and not to the Duke's liking. He was heard to ask what it would be like in winter if it were so cold in the summer. On the other hand, the event was to everyone's liking and it was a great day for the school and the com- munity who joined us on the main field during and after the visit."
Queen Elizabeth, then 76, met with the Head of Foundation (Dr. Stephen Coyne) and the Mayor of Macclesfield (Councillor Diana Millett d. 2018).
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh toured the School and viewed exhibits on aspects of Cheshire life over the past fifty years. You can view more pictures of the visit here, and watch a video here.
Later in the day, she would visit The Christie in Manchester. Unverified reports suggest she stayed in Henbury Hall that night.
The Queen did have a third visit to Macclesfield planned in the 2020s. Her Majesty was set to visit Jodrell Bank to celebrate the site and the Lovell Telescope receiving UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Her visit was due on March 19 2020, then aged 93, but the coronavirus put those plans to be postponed, and they have not been rescheduled since.
Four days later, the first pandemic stay-at-home order was in place in the UK.
And that was our guide of the Queen's visits to Macclesfield in pictures. Which was your favourite? Do you have any pictures?
Editor's note: I could have written a long obituary about the Queen here but instead would like to hear about your stories. The saddest part in life is when someone who creates the best memories with you becomes a memory. What memories do you have of the Queen, especially if you have met her?
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