GIRL Guides, scouts and brownies have always played a big part in the Queen’s official visits.

Girlguiding Isle of Wight has been involved with royal visits to the Island and with HM The Queen as Patron there has always been a connection.

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Speaking at the time of the Platinum Jubilee, long-term Girlguiding Isle of Wight member, Suzanne Whitewood, said: “Personally I certainly remember the 1965 visit.

“As Ventnor’s first Queen’s Guide, I was in Ventnor Park, along with the chairman of Ventnor Urban District Council and other notables of the town."

Isle of Wight County Press: The Queen’s Guides, on the far right, with County Hall staff at Carisbrooke Castle during the Queen's 1965 visit to the Isle of Wight. Photo: Suzanne Whitewood.The Queen’s Guides, on the far right, with County Hall staff at Carisbrooke Castle during the Queen's 1965 visit to the Isle of Wight. Photo: Suzanne Whitewood. (Image: Suzanne Whitewood.)

Suzanne continued: “The following day the Isle of Wight’s 36 Queen’s Guides — including myself — together with Mrs G. Twining, our County Commissioner, attended the installation of Lord Louis Mountbatten as governor of the Isle of Wight at Carisbrooke Castle.”

When the royal party arrived at Carisbrooke Castle, the Queen’s Guides were lined up to the right, together with members of County Hall staff, who were the ushers for the other invited guests.

For the most recent royal visit for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, units of Girlguiding Isle of Wight were on Cowes Parade to welcome the royal party.

In 2011, Suzanne Whitewood also had the honour of receiving her MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Suzanne concluded: “All these events have very special memories for me.”

Isle of Wight County Press: The Queen meets girl guides including Alison Badman (nee Cuffe) during her visit to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight in 1965. Photo: Bob Cuffe.The Queen meets girl guides including Alison Badman (nee Cuffe) during her visit to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight in 1965. Photo: Bob Cuffe. (Image: Bob Cuffe)

Another guide who was present during the Queen’s 1965 visit was Alison Badman (nee Cuffe), who saw her when she went walkabout in Yarmouth.

She said: “I was 11 and had only just joined Yarmouth Girl Guides from Brownies.

“I can’t remember why it was that the guides, together with the scouts and sea scouts, were chosen to form a parade for the Queen’s arrival, but it was incredibly exciting.

“We had to be there very early for inspection and instructions on standing still and how to respond if the Queen spoke to any of us. I was in the second row but remember being overawed at being so close to her.

“She did stop to speak to one of our leaders.

“The striking thing — compared to today’s security — was there were no barriers for crowds, and no obvious personal protection for the royal party.”

Have you got lovely memories of meeting the Queen?

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