Ugandan Memories

Ugandan Memories

In 1953, we had moved from Dar-es-Salaam to Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and my Mum worked for Sir Charles Westlake; he was an English engineer and Chairman of the Uganda Electricity Board, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Owen Falls Dam hydro-electric scheme at Jinja. Following her Coronation in 1953, in April 1954 the Queen and Prince Philip came out to Uganda, and one of her engagements was officially to open the Dam, and set the turbines in operation. We were invited to be present, and took our seats a couple of hours before the Queen arrived in her car from Entebbe; she was going to be driven across the top of the dam to the dais, where she would press the button to open the sluice gates; after that, she went to the power station, to start the first turbine, setting the hydro-electric scheme in action. 

The engineers had closed the gates some hours before, and of course the River Nile began building up behind the dam, as the water was slowly draining away below it - and I remember sitting and watching this with dread: What would happen if the Queen was delayed, and ALL the water drained away downstream in the meantime?! You could see the level dropping very steadily - and to my eyes, very quickly! I was so relieved when her motorcade hove into view, and this petite figure was welcomed with all the joy and excitement the new Queen generated. She made a short speech and then pressed the button - and to my great relief, the sluice gates opened as planned, and the water poured through in magnificent cascades, droplets flying everywhere, with miniature rainbows forming in the spray. That’s one sight I’ll never forget. 

At that time, I don't think anyone realised how keen I was to create photograph albums and scrap books with which to remember special occasions, and how I wish I had been given some pictures, or mementos, such as invitations, perhaps, of that special day to hold as a keepsake; instead, the "Mark One" brain and memory will have to do the job! 

As our longest serving Monarch, her remarkable service and devotion to duty for over 70 years, not only to our country, but also to the Commonwealth nations and others across the world, ensured the Queen huge affection and respect for her unique wisdom and leadership. The Queen will be sorely missed by all her subjects; she will never be forgotten, but live on in our hearts and minds for ever. We pray for God’s blessing upon her, and that she may rest in eternal peace.

We also pray for our new King, Charles III; I am certain he will also be strengthened and supported by this same love and respect from all his people.

We are so proud and happy to be British!

 

 

 

 

 

What Momentous Days These Have Been

 

What Momentous Days These Have Been...

 

What a momentous time these past 10 days have brought us, with the death of Queen Elizabeth; especially poignant for people in Scotland, as she died at Balmoral. 

 

The reverence and care the people of Scotland showed Her Majesty as she lay at rest in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, is surely a good indication for the continuation of England and Scotland remaining firmly in union together for some long time into the future.  

 

Then the journey to London: The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, taking up her solemn duty to accompany her mother's body on the flight from Edinburgh. 

The Royal Family had one evening with Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace, before the four-day Lying in State in Westminster Hall. 

Apart from her subjects travelling to the capital from all over the United Kingdom, people flew in to London from all parts of the world, to have the opportunity of filing past the coffin. The queue was long, the weather was not particularly kind, but still nearly a quarter of a million people stayed the course, and paid their last respects. 

Particularly moving were the two Royal vigils - the first, by King Charles III, the Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward; the second, held by all eight of Queen Elizabeth's grandchildren - the eldest aged 42, the youngest, only 14. They all stayed stock still, taking their places by the guardsmen, until the tap of a staff on the stone floor signified a changing of the guard.

What a stirring, emotional and memorable day the 19 September has been - a loving and respectful send off to our wonderful Queen Elizabeth II, as well as showing the world what Britain can do in terms of pageantry and amazing organisation. 

 

We loved all the touching words spoken in tributes and messages of condolence from leaders from all over the world, especially from President Macron of France, President Trudeau of Canada and American President Biden; it was amazing to see all these powerful men - and women - in Westminster Abbey.

You could see the grief and the strain etched on the faces of the Royal Family, but they all carry on, no matter what. There will be an official week of mourning now, so I think the next few days will give them a short respite, time together and just to take deep breaths before their busy lives take over again. 

 

After watching all these scenes unfolding, and witnessing the perfect culmination of a truly memorable day, I was inspired to write this poem:

A SUCCESSION SONNET

 

It’s after the funeral is over

And all the crowds have gone home;

And the streets of London are quiet

That people may feel all alone.

Our beloved Monarch is resting

At Windsor, with those gone before;

With Prince Philip, her mother and father,

She’s surrounded by love evermore.

 

And now, after national mourning

Life goes on, as surely it must;

We never forget, but keep close in our hearts

Our Royal Family, with respect and in trust.

And now, for our King, Charles the Third, we rejoice

And lift up our hearts and our minds, with one voice:

 

GOD SAVE THE KING

 

Alexandra Wilde

19 September 2022

 

St George's Chapel, Windsor

 

 

How Fast Seventy Years Fly By

How Fast Seventy Years Fly By

What a momentous few days these have been. Less than a week ago, on September 6, the Queen was at Balmoral; she bid goodbye to our out-going Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and we saw her welcoming Liz Truss, shaking hands and asking her to form a new Government. The Queen looked frail, but her smile was as radiant as ever, but then, 48 hours later, on September 8, she was gone, leaving a huge gap in all our lives. 

My family is feeling the loss of the Queen very personally; my first Bob was a Commander Engineer in the Royal Navy, and we enjoyed many happy times at various Naval events and all the official engagements we attended. Our daughter, Wendy, was a young child, and as her dad was senior Naval Officer, she was often chosen to present a bouquet to a member of the Royal family attending a special function; Wendy was never at a loss for words! and always enjoyed these occasions. 

I was a little girl myself in 1952, when King George VI died. We were in Kampala, and I remember hearing the news on old "steam radio," coming over (I think!) either on the home programme or the light programme, on short wave with all the attendant static and interference, followed by sombre music that was played all day. We lived near a hill called Gun Cannon Hill; there was a huge cannon at the top, and I used to run up and down this hill, and climb all over the gun - it was such fun. However, the day after the King died, my Grandma and I were having our usual afternoon kip during the heat of the day, when suddenly there was this terrific BANG!! Even my Grandma, who was stone deaf, heard it, and it gave her such a fright, she nearly fell out of her bed. I’m sure you’ve guessed that the cannon was actually an operational piece of ordnance, and it was being tested in readiness for the 52 gun salute, one for each year of the King’s life.

We don’t like bangs, (I was once told the Queen didn’t like them either, but she still had to attend reviews with all those gun salutes), so when the time came for the cannon to be fired, my Mum made us a picnic, and we drove to Jinja, about 45 miles from Kampala, where we stayed until that part of the ceremony was over. There was no t.v. of course, so we saw the funeral on the newsreel in the cinema. 

When Queen Elizabeth was crowned, again we watched the ceremony on the newsreel at the cinema, and were held spellbound as the colours, the pageantry and pomp unfolded on the screen.  

I was given a miniature toy gold Coronation Coach, complete with horses and guardsmen, and I spent many happy hours playing with it, and imagining what the real thing must have been like, in London.  

And now, all the formal and ceremonial events are televised and available to watch as they happen, by millions of people all over the world. It was wonderful to hear the warm welcome Charles received from the crowd as he arrived at Buckingham Palace with Camilla, and it was clear he was comforted by the outpouring of sympathy and understanding from everyone fortunate enough to be there on such an historic day. 

I remember reading in a newspaper, many years ago, on hearing the roar of welcome greeting his Mother at a function, Charles said, "They'll never do that for me..." Well, he must be comforted and reassured beyond measure to know that "they" have indeed done that for him.  We have all taken him to our hearts, and the swell of love and approval will carry him through these sad and demanding times.