Bournemouth and Poole MGOC gave a royal command performance when it transported not one . . . but four British queens to a fund-raising Jubilee celebration.
The club was invited to provide classic MGs to take queens Boudica, Elizabeth I, Victoria, and Elizabeth II (well actually very good look-alikes) from Boscombe Pier to the patriotically named Churchill Gardens for a jubilee event hosted by local charity Vita Nova which uses art, including drama, to help local people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
The Union flag dressed red, white, blue and gold (bracken) cars were driven by current Area Secretary Chris Adamson (1952 YB transporting Queen Victoria and her escort Abdul Karim), his predecessor as Area Secretary Graham Lowe (1969 MGB – Queen Elizabeth I), former Area and Regional secretary Nigel Hedges (1973 MGB – Queen Elizabeth II) and club member and former classic saloon car driver Roger Hurt (1972 MGB – Queen Boudica, queen of the Iceni tribe).
The queens and cars were welcomed at the event by Bournemouth Mayor and Mayoress Cllr and Mrs Robert Lawton and Jack Maguire, the Chair of Friends of Churchill Gardens.
The day featured dance (including fire dancing) and music performances (including the CODA fiddle orchestra) by local clubs and groups and an excerpt from A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by members of Vita Nova who promote drug and alcohol awareness through dramatic presentations followed by discussions and workshops.
There was also an adult Bake-Off competition, the wonkiest vegetable contest, flower arranging, painting competition and children’s entertainment such as fancy dress and making a crown for a bear.