Christine Greaves (née Hurst) being crowned as Bourne's Silver Jubilee Queen in June 1977. Photo: Courtesy Christine Greaves.

The  Silver  Jubilee  Queen   by Christine Greaves

Bourne became my permanent home in 1975 after many years of travelling around Britain, the Middle East and Far East as my Dad was in the Royal Air Force but when he had only a few years left to serve, my mother got a job working at Digby Court so the decision was made to make roots. My own very first employment after leaving college was working for the South Kesteven District Council in the surveyor's department, then based at Wake House in North Street, where I worked for Les Sandall, Hartley Brown and Eric Osgothorpe. I can honestly say my time there was one of the happiest of my working life, meeting such characters as Ching Clay, Jack Bloodworth, the two Derek's, Jane Kirk, and many more. It was during this time I was persuaded to enter the contest for the Bourne Silver Jubilee Queen.

It was the summer of 1977, I was 19 at the time and will never forget the day of the competition, trying to sort out a dress to wear and eventually choosing one of my mum's evening gowns. I remember it well, long and flowing, brown in colour, with a large silk beige flower on one shoulder. I spent the morning at the hairdressers only to go home and re-wash and dry it myself. Just be yourself, I kept saying, and everything will be alright on the night.

The contest was held at Bourne Corn Exchange and the place was packed. There were a lot of contestants as I recall, probably around 20 of us, and we were all given numbers. Mine was No 4, my lucky number at the time and so it proved to be that day. The judges were a northern comedian and his wife along with some dignitaries from the Town Council. We had to go up on stage and were asked questions about ourselves and what attributes we could offer the town as role of Jubilee Queen. I cannot remember for a moment now what my answers were but whatever I said obviously did the trick because I won and was eventually crowned Miss Silver Jubilee 1977. I still have the sash but sadly the crown disappeared many years ago during one of my many moves during the eighties.

Town councillors Shirley Cliffe and Don Fisher became my chaperones during my reign. I visited many street parties. Two in particular which come to mind were at Dyke village and in Pinewood Close although I am sure there were many more I attended and many people I met that day. Pinewood Close was a blaze of colourful bunting, flags and decorations in red, white and blue. The residents certainly went to town and put a lot of effort into making it a party to celebrate. Bourne hospitality never ceases to amaze me and I've never drunk so many cups of tea in my life. I also distributed hundreds of jubilee mugs, mainly to the children and the elderly of the town, waved many Union Jack flags and put up yards of bunting.

Opening garden fetes became part of my weekend life, Digby Court being one of them, which of course to me was part of the family with my mum being the matron in charge. I became an expert at bar billiards and throwing the cheese not to mention darts and other garden fete activities although I did opt out of the ducking stool. Judging garden produce became a way of life but could also be very tricky when trying to decide who had grown the biggest marrow. After all, one centimetre was all it took to make a difference.

The day of the jubilee celebrations will remain with me forever. It was very cold and threatening to rain. I was sat in a horse drawn carriage along with my two attendants, Lynette Simmonds and Shena Clare, as we drove through Bourne as part of the jubilee parade. The town was a blaze of colour and the crowds that turned out were truly amazing. I remember being driven into the town market place and the crowds cheered. I found out later it was not me and my two attendants that were the centre of such attention but the horse that was pulling my carriage as it had decided to deposit something right in the middle of the road. But it was that sort of day. Good humoured and unexpected and I enjoyed every minute.

Twenty-five years is such a long time ago and memories fade but I can say I was very honoured to have represented the town during this prestigious event and met so many lovely people. Even though I now live in Dubai in the Middle East my home remains in Bourne, retaining the house I lived in before I made the move to the desert and a new life. My family still live in Bourne and one day I hope to return to my roots and retire in peace.

Finally I would like to send my heartfelt thanks to all of those who supported me during that special year and would like to wish you all good luck and very best wishes during your celebrations of the Queen's Golden Jubilee this year. I look forward to reading about it on the Bourne web site. However, you never know, I may just turn up to come and see for myself!

Contributed in April 2002 by Christine Greaves who lives in the United Arab Emirates.
Email: christine.greaves@eu.effem.com.