Queen’s thank-you surprises group (From Keighley News)

Queen’s thank-you surprises group

8:00am Saturday 28th July 2012 in News

A Keighley community group which congratulated the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee received an unexpected but welcome response.

Members of Keighley Civic Luncheon Club had all signed a card and then posted it to the Queen about a week before the Jubilee weekend.

Club president Norah Saxton, who lives in Riddlesden, said she and her fellow members were surprised and touched when they received a card and letter back from Buckingham Palace.

She added this was unexpected because the luncheon club had not included its own address in its card.

She said: “We wanted to do something for the jubilee and had thought of various things such as planting a tree.

“Then someone said that we should send a card, which we did, and we also held an afternoon celebration tea. We didn’t put a sender’s address on the card but even so someone actually went to the trouble of finding out our secretary’s address so they could send us something back. I’ve no idea how they managed it.”

She said the club secretary, Silsden resident Enid Wilkins, received the Queen’s “thank you”. The card records the Queen’s gratitude for the Keighley club’s “loyalty and support” and also features six photographs of the Queen taken at different stages of her reign.

Mrs Saxton said: “We never thought we’d get any response, not when so many other people were sending in cards. I just think it’s lovely - I’m going to have it framed.”

The luncheon club meets on the first Tuesday of each month from October to June at Steeton Hall Hotel. Each session includes a meal, coffee or tea and a speaker.

Mrs Saxton’s husband Bruce, who is also a club member, said the group was keen to attract more members.