As the second Elizabethan age finishes, let us for a moment or two stop and give thanks for such a remarkable women who has lead this Nation and the Commonwealth majestically for so many years.

I have two lovely memories of her. 

Firstly, when a certain Prime Minister consistently failed to answer my letters; I wrote to the Queen about his attitude towards democracy. I received a lovely letter from one of her equerries; and by return of post a letter arrived from Downing Street!

My second memory took place in Sheffield about twenty years ago when she was on an official visit. I was stood near the central library and as she walked past me, only about four feet away, she gave me a lovely smile.

So now as with such fond sadness we say farewell to this Commonwealths and Nations mother, let us pray for and support her son, Charles the Second.

Charles Duncan Twigg