Royal visit to Peterlee New Town, 27 May 1960.
L-R: A. V. Williams (General Manager, Peterlee Development Corporation), Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II, C. S. Robinson (Chairman, Newton Aycliffe Development Corporation).
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Peterlee on 27th May 1960. After arriving at Horden Station at 10am, the royal couple were driven to the town centre for a welcome reception before visiting St Cuthbert’s Parish Church and Peter Lee Memorial Methodist Church. From there the motorcade made its way to Peterlee Community Centre (The Whitehouse), then continued its journey on to Jeremiah Amblers factory on North East Industrial Estate, Ann’s Pantry on York Road, and 18 Avon Road, home of Mr and Mrs. Tindle. The royal couple departed Peterlee at 12pm and drove to Durham where they met with the Bishop of Durham, before going on to Newton Aycliffe New Town for the final leg of their official state visit to County Durham.
My mother took this photograph. I was in my final year at Edenhall Junior School. Both the Infants and Juniors were given Union Jack flags to wave as we lined up on both sides of the road along Eden Lane. I’d managed to weave my way through the crowd and ended up standing on the footpath in front of the Whitehouse. I was literally within touching distance of the Queen as she walked back to her car to leave. I remember I was waving my flag frantically when she looked directly at me and smiled. I still have the flag.
Bill Raine
My mother took this photograph. I was in my final year at Edenhall Junior School. Both the Infants and Juniors were given Union Jack flags to wave as we lined up on both sides of the road along Eden Lane. I’d managed to weave my way through the crowd and ended up standing on the footpath in front of the Whitehouse. I was literally within touching distance of the Queen as she walked back to her car to leave. I remember I was waving my flag frantically when she looked directly at me and smiled. I still have the flag.
Bill Raine
We lived at 31 Ashton Drive. One memory which stands out, which I now find amusing, is of the Queen’s visit to Peterlee. Our house was going to be in sightline of the Queen’s car as it drove up Edenhill Road on route to The Whitehouse. Whereas most of the houses in this part of Peterlee are red brick, ours had a rendered finish and so they gave it a fresh coat of paint. Well they painted the side of the house that would be visible to the Queen’s car as she passed. The other side of house they didn’t touch.
Maureen Raine (nee. Waddell)