Premier Announces Diamond Jubilee Book
Yesterday [Mar.20] Premier Paula Cox announced plans for a commemorative book to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Premier Cox said, “Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory and we recognise that the United Kingdom has suggested a number of celebratory events marking Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.
“His Excellency the Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, asked me to consider approving a gift to commemorate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. I believe that our gift will be warmly personal and truly represents the faces of Bermuda. Accordingly, I am pleased to announce that the Government and the people of Bermuda will mark this special occasion with a gift of a commemorative book, ‘Bermuda: A Diamond Jubilee History’ and a Jubilee Celebration Bermuda cedar chest.”
The Queen ascended to the throne on the death her father King George VI on February 6, 1952. The main celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be held in the UK on the weekend of June 2-5.
Home movie footage of the Queen’s 1975 visit to Bermuda
The Queen last visited Bermuda in 2009 [she is pictured at top meeting school children in St. George's] to help celebrate the 400th anniversary of the “Sea Venture” wreck which led to the island’s permanent settlement.
Bermuda was the first country a newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth II visited when she embarked on a world tour of the British Commonwealth in 1953.
The Queen also visited the island in 1975, 1976 and 1994.
The Queen arrived in Bermuda on February 16, 1975 on the first leg of a Caribbean and Mexican tour.
During her three days on the island in 1975, the Queen and Prince Philip returned to the spot now called Queen’s View beneath Gibbs House Lighthouse — where she had stopped to admire the view over the Great Sound during her 1953 visit.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in Bermuda, 1975
The Premier said she wanted to encourage residents to provide the National Library and the National Museum of Bermuda with any photographs, personal or commercial, of the Queen’s visits.
The photographs will be registered, duplicated for possible publication selection and returned to the owners.
“Photographs used in the publication will receive prominent mention and those donating their pictures will receive a disc of their images,” said Ms Cox. “We would like to thank those who have already donated pictures and look forward to receiving many more.
“Created in Bermuda, the Diamond Jubilee book is intended to be an attractive, signature commemorative volume which will serve as an educational tool with pictorial history. This commemorative volume will include text material, paintings and illustrations from all the British monarchs back to the beginnings of the settlement of Bermuda and photographs that will chronicle Her Majesty’s relationship with Bermuda from her first visit in November of 1953 to her last visit 56 years later.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in Bermuda in 2009 with then Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and Mrs. Brown
The Premier also said a Bermudian carpenter/carver is to be commissioned to create the Jubilee Celebration Bermuda cedar chest with historic Bermuda carvings on all four sides. It will contain small gifts from Bermudian groups and charities that have a unique connection to the Queen.
“The creation of the commemorative book and Jubilee cedar chest will be completely funded by the sale of the book. Any balance remaining will benefit The National Library, the Archives, the National Museum of Bermuda and organisations representing our war veterans,” said Premier Cox.
“The work of the Cabinet Commemorative Book Committee will run concurrently to the work being done by the Queen’s Jubilee Celebration Committee at Government House and that Committee will report on events connected to our celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in due course.”
A Cabinet Project Committee has been formed to spearhead this project. The members are: Dr. Edward Harris [Chairman], Olga Scott [Deputy Chair], Don Kramer, Major William Madeiros, Joanne Brangman from The Bermuda Library and Scott Simmons from the Cabinet Office.
In addition, Project Action — a charity which provides free transportation for the physically challenged — will be hosting a fundraising high tea at the Hamilton Princess on June 3rd, 2012.
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Wonderful news. We attended the high tea last year and it was truly an elegant event with ladies and gentlemen dressed in their finest garments, all for a worthy cause. Shuby DeGrilla drives the project action bus and is the kindest most sincere driver.
Please let us know where we can get tickets!
This is excellent news! Project Action is a wortwhile charity which deserves the whole community’s support. Myself and my family will be in attendance – this is one not to miss, people!
Yng Black Mind
(those who know understand)