Marjorie hosts a Royal visit to Blackpool & Fylde Society for the Blind's Industrial Centre
- Mar 5
- 3 min read
My wife shares a bed with Princess Diana and I prepare the ground and endeavour to keep HRH dry...
It had been arranged for Princess Diana to visit Blackpool for a day. That day was 2nd July 1991.
The day before Diana was due to arrive was hectic at our house, because at this time, my wife Marjorie, previously Deputy Mayoress of Blackpool, was Chairperson of the Blind Centre which was about to receive a Royal Visit. So it would fall to her to welcome the Princess and escort her around.
The day prior to the visit also saw everyone checking that all was in order. Marjorie noticed that the large area of grass in front of the Centre was on the long side. This area was to be cordoned off so that the local populace could stand behind a rope whilst the Princess, after her tour of the factory, circulated around the gathered crowds.
Needless to say it fell to myself to nip home for our lawn mower and reduce the grass height to a more acceptable level, especially as rain was forecast.
On the day itself, the Princess flew into Blackpool Airport, to be greeted by an entourage of posh limousines. Marjorie and I were amongst the small flag waving crowd who welcomed her. After a visit to the Town Hall and to Symbol Biscuits, the party duly arrived at the Blind Centre.
As can be envisaged Diana arrived surrounded by officialdom, including the High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire.
Marjorie was honoured to be introduced to and to welcome the Princess and her party, and to take her on a tour around the manufacturing area, including introducing her to the employees.
The Centre employed 22 disabled and blind staff, manufacturing beds to a quality standard.
When it came to Diana laughingly testing the quality of the beds, the press were discretely excluded, to avoid them making sly references involving beds, Diana and Prince Charles. So, a bed was tested privately and Marjorie shared exclusive use of the bed with HRH!!
Following the tour, and on leaving the premises, the Princess of Wales spent some time, despite the rain, visiting the roped off area of (newly cut) grass and talking to the gathered crowd, who appeared to be largely from the local Mereside Council Estate.
She eventually walked over to the side where I was stood, two rows back, and I said to her “Excuse me Ma'am but would you like an umbrella?”.
She turned to me and gave me her famous wry, almost shy, smile and replied “Thank you, but I am afraid that the damage is already done,” referring to her wet hair and raindrops trickling down her face.
It was surprising that no one in her bodyguard/entourage had thought to provide one. She had certainly had one on her earlier walkabout.
To cheers, much applause, and the occasional wolf whistle, our Royal visitor returned to the leading Limousine, and, waving regally, the visit was over, but remembered forever...
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