Former Scarborough Mayor remembers Queen's visit

Councillor Bill Chatt met Her Majesty when she opened Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2010

Author: Karen LiuPublished 3rd Jun 2022

The former Mayor of the Borough of Scarborough has been reminiscing the time he met The Queen.

Her Majesty came to open Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2010 and Bill Chatt was one of those who was there.

He said: "I was up at 4 o'clock in the morning, I was stood out the front there and I was thinking to myself 'this is so important, I can't get this wrong. If I get this wrong, I'd probably end up in the Tower of London. I was really, really panicking and I don't panic. I have a lot of confidence. As I was stood there, there were all those kids from Barrowcliff walking down.

"We stood in this lineup and I remember The Queen arrived and I thought 'oh, here we have a lady in her 80s who's going to be quite frail' and I tell you what, she was fitter than me. She really was. She jumped out of that Range Rover, her and Prince Philip, and they walked straight towards me.

"We stood there in this line. The North Yorkshire Sheriff was there, I was there and Michelle, my wife, was stood next to me. You have to have a bit of instruction. When you first meet the Queen you have to call her 'Your Majesty' and then after that you have to call her 'Ma'am' and that's quite impressed upon you.

"I opened the door to the car, the Queen went to get in and she stopped. She turned around, walked back towards me and said 'It's your last day today isn't it Mr. Mayor?' I said 'it certainly is Ma'am yes.' She went 'Has it been a good last day?' and I said 'I think I did well today' and she said 'you have.' Then she jumped into the car and was gone."

There is also a free family event in Barrowcliff tomorrow (Saturday 4th June) from 12pm to 4pm at the Gallows Close Centre. There will be a hog roast, bouncy castles, stalls, costume competition, free kids goodie bag, entertainment, music and more.

Some events happening today

Whitby will have an Afternoon Tea party at Hetty and Betty on Baxtergate from 2.30pm, with vintage singers providing live music and entertainment.

There will also be a Queen's Jubilee Gala Night at The Met Lounge and Ballroom on Argyle Road from 7pm, featuring comedians, a dance show from a local school, a magician, a world class West End singer and more.

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