Royal visit is Abigail’s party

Royal visit is Abigail’s party

4 July 2012 - by Joanne Fleming

PRACTISING her curtsey wasn’t in vain — Abigail Lennon was among the lucky few chosen to meet the Queen in person during her recent visit to Stormont.

The seven year-old from Kilmore was plucked from a crowd of thousands gathered to welcome Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee tour, and presented the monarch with a bouquet.

Abigail was among a group of excited young people and their leaders from the Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade at Lissara Presbyterian Church in Crossgar, who left early last Wednesday, clutching their invitations.

Armed with their lunches, umbrellas and folding chairs the group enjoyed the musical entertainment and bouncy castles as they waited in eager anticipation.

“One little GB Explorer was more anxious and excited than most,” said GB Captain Elizabeth Patterson. “She hoped to be able to present her bouquet of flowers from Petals and Pots in Downpatrick to the Queen but no-one was quite sure exactly where she would come from, where she would go, and if she would walk around long enough for anybody to present flowers.”

But after the special guest arrived, delighting crowds on both sides of the avenue, Abigail’s big moment came. She was lifted over the barriers by the body guards and stood patiently waiting while the Queen greeted the VIPs.

With the instruction, of ‘Go now’, the GB captain said she went forward and presented her bouquet with a big smile.

“Abigail reported later that the Queen had said ‘You are very kind’,” said Mrs. Patterson. “Having handed over the flowers Abigail did the little curtsey, taught the previous evening by a hopeful father, and the Queen added, ‘that was a lovely curtsey’.

“No-one appeared to be in a big hurry to leave the grounds where this magical moment had occurred. After taking a photograph of the BB and GB together, a very happy busload made its way back to Crossgar following a day that will be long remembered by young and not-so-young alike.”