The Reign of Elizabeth II- Britain’s Second Elizabethan Age 1952 – 2012
The above piece is in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University because I was asked to represent Noke Oxfodrshire for their Jubilee celebration.
It is most fitting that
in this village of Noke, meaning ‘at the oak trees’, a young oak tree was
planted as a living tribute to the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen
Elizabeth II.
Under a clear bright sky, trowels
in hand, children clustered around the prepared earth waiting for the new tree
to be lowered into the ground. Old and young laid hands together to lower the
tree into the land where people have lived for five thousand years.
Across the green lush fields in the middle
of Noke a road was built. It was not just any road but a Roman road. At that
time ‘all roads’, may have, ‘led to Rome’,
but on this day of celebration the hearts and minds of the village were focused
on sixty remarkable years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Such an event
shall not be seen again in some of our lifetimes.
As the tree was lowered into the permanent
place where the earth would give it life, the celebrants stood in silence. I
could not help but wonder if perhaps some of them were remembering their loved
ones who had gone before them. In that brief moment, they could share the joy
of this occasion with those whom they loved.
The
whimsical saying ‘Noke, the place where no one spoke’, was only in folly. For
on this significant day, eloquent words will be remembered as the hearts of villagers
and visitors offered a champagne toast to Her Majesty the Queen.
A Queen after all, is the person who has the
love of her people, the sorrows of her country, the sacrifices of her duty, and
the joy of knowing for sixty years she has ruled with dignity and grace. The
true diamond that sparkles beyond all others is Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Jan Atchley Bevan
Author in Residence 2000-2008
The Cummer Museum
of Art & Gardens
Jacksonville, Florida
Member of NLAPW, "Queen" of the Jacksonville chapter
Member of NLAPW, "Queen" of the Jacksonville chapter
The above piece is in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University because I was asked to represent Noke Oxfodrshire for their Jubilee celebration.
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