Shropshire prepares a warm welcome for Her Majesty

A royal visit is always special. Greeting Her Majesty the Queen is for many, the 'hello' of a lifetime.

But being able to welcome her to our county celebration in her Diamond Jubilee year really is a royal dream come true. And the July 12 Celebration of Sixty Glorious Years being held at RAF Cosford is the icing on a many-tiered cake.

While the rest of her family is globe-trotting on Her Majesty's behalf through this momentous year, she and the Duke of Edinburgh are visiting as many parts of the United Kingdom as they can.

Needless to say, every host city, town and village is absolutely thrilled at the prospect.

And millions would have loved it if their patch had been on this very special 2012 itinerary. Now Shropshire and surrounding areas can really celebrate in style with the best of all possible news.

Lord Lieutenant Mr Algy Heber-Percy has headed a group which for some time has been planning what was always hoped to be a day to remember, with the intention of sending the Queen our thanks, good wishes and deepest affection in a year which is very nearly a record breaker.

Esteem

Now, with today's news, she will be able to witness for herself the great esteem in which she is held.

Plans for the special day include a wonderful mix of celebration and fun as well as a walk down memory lane with hangars taken over by memorabilia, several thousand schoolchildren taking part and what promise to be the most amazing floats in a 'moving' pageant to mark an incredible reign as well as chronicling 60 years of our county.

The Brightest and Best of the county's industrial, commercial and agricultural expertise will be showcased with their significant achievements to the local and national economies during the Queen's reign will be displayed in an exciting indoor exhibition.

The achievements of many voluntary and charitable bodies across the county will also have pride of place. While the spectacular moving pageant with more than 5,000 children helping tell the story of the county, as well as the emergence and growth of Telford and Wrekin, promises to be an amazing sight.

Musical groups and artists from across the county will be performing on stage throughout the day and the best of Shropshire Food will be featured and available to buy. And Shropshire Wildlife Trust will be enjoying a double celebration – it marks its 50th birthday on the same day.

But now, at the heart of it all will be the real privilege everyone will feel at sharing part of it with our much-loved monarch, 86 last Saturday. Our Queen of 60 years. An amazing lady who in just over three years time will become the longest serving monarch in history.

Her Majesty's representative in Shropshire, Mr Heber-Percy is delighted that the special event is now to be made so much extra special, says: "We hope this will be one of the most memorable days Shropshire can remember. It will be a unique opportunity for the county to thank Her Majesty for the exceptional dedication and leadership she has given us over the last 60 years."

And, indeed, unique for us it will be.

Everyone who was around when Princess Elizabeth married her prince and was all too soon (for her) to become Queen, will never forget it.

Those who remember the Coronation, probably viewed on a 12-inch blurred and grey TV set, still remember it. And all who have ever met the Queen in any situation, talk about it for the rest of their lives.

That's the effect this gracious, knowledgeable and warm lady has on people.

Like her late mother and sister, she may not be very tall but for all she is, all she does, all she means to her nation and other far-flung nations, she is head and shoulders above most of us.

I remember so well seven years ago when it was announced that we were indeed getting this year's Olympics, watching the Princess Royal read out a letter from her mother delighted at the decision and speaking to athletes from across the world.

"I look forward to welcoming you all in 2012" she said. I quickly worked out that she'd be 86 by then – and now she is – but there was no doubt, no hesitation, no what if. Just an 'I'll be there.'

And now, it's an 'I'll be there' for us in the summer. And I'll stick my neck out and say that Her Majesty will not find a warmer welcome anywhere in this Diamond Jubilee year than the one waiting for her right here.

What a pleasure as well that the Duke of Edinburgh will be at his wife's side, as he will be through much of this diamond year. He will be 91 in June and had that health scare last Christmas, surely a time of much greater concern for the Queen than she would ever have shown publicly.

But once we saw him back carriage riding and walking instead of driving to church, that familiar smile and joking with the crowd, we knew this loyal consort and loving husband was going to be in the place he has so distinguished down the years – at his wife's side.

And there will doubtless be special cheers and happiness from the crowds when the royal couple arrive in July.

The Queen has said herself on more than one occasion that Prince Philip has been her rock and stay, head of her family and that she and we owe him more than most of us might ever realise.

Well now we have the chance to also say thank you to this long-serving, dedicated consort who has been there for his wife through good times and bad, through the sunshine and showers that every life brings.

And it brightens April showers no end to know that come July, Shropshire will be among the very fortunate to be able to welcome and pay tribute to this treasure of a lady, our Diamond Queen.

Shirley Tart