GUELPH – The Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth the Second was recognized at the June 30 Wellington County council meeting.
Warden Kelly Linton, in opening remarks, recognized the Queen for her 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“On February 6 of this year, the Queen became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee,” Linton noted.
“Sixty years ago, almost to the day, Queen Elizabeth the Second took the train into Guelph on her royal tour, the same one that her parents had done 20 years earlier,” Linton stated.
“The eyewitness reports say the Queen got out of the train, took the sidewalk instead of the red carpet, so that she could be among the people. They say that everybody was very excited and cheering,” the warden added.
“Regardless of anyone’s position on the monarchy, one fact remains – Queen Elizabeth the Second has been a cultural inspiration during her reign,” Linton stated.
Linton pointed out the Wellington County Museum “our local custodian of history and culture,” provided some historical objects recognizing the jubilee year and some local connections.
Objects included:
– 3D glasses distributed across Canada for a 2010 3D documentary by the CBC titled The Queen in 3D;
– souvenir China and pins collected by Royal Family devotees; and
– a framed portrait of the Queen given to the county by the Monarchists League of Canada.
“And they’ve been designated as the sole distributor of this portrait. So this is very significant,” Linton noted.
The Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth the Second was recognized at the June 30 Wellington County council meeting. Warden Kelly Linton recognized the Queen for her 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Historical items related to the jubilee were provided by the Wellington County Museum and Archives, including a framed portrait of the Queen given to the county by the Monarchists League of Canada.
Also on display was a Wellington County guestbook signed by the Queen from her 1959 visit to Guelph.
Following the warden’s remarks, councillor Chris White offered a toast to the Queen as council members raised their water glasses in recognition of her platinum jubilee.
Diversity celebrated
During his opening remarks, the warden also recognized June as Pride Month and thanked county staff “for all they have done over the past month to help us recognize and celebrate diversity here in Wellington County.”
June is also National Indigenous History Month and Linton said he was excited “about the actions taken by the county “to rediscover and celebrate a rich, Indigenous history.
“Thanks to the members, or our Indigenous Advisory Committee for taking a leadership role in all the activities and events that you’ve coordinated over this past month,” said Linton.
