Village History
QUEEN VICTORIAS’ JUBILEE
He did not think was necessary that he should say anything more about the bridge, but he felt he must say one word about the Queen’s Jubilee. (Applause.) He felt he was more particularly addressing the young, and he asked them to recollect that they were erecting this bridge in order to celebrate the fact that the Queen had reigned over this land for period of fifty years. (Applause.) But what, some might ask, was the cause all this rejoicing iv all parts of the country It was because our gracious Majesty the Queen had set pattern to all sovereigns in the constitutional way in which she had directed the affairs of this vast Empire. (Applause.) They were met, it was true, for holiday, but might they also pray with him that God would preserve the life of our Queen, and that she and her descendants might long reign over a religious and an united kingdom. (Loud applause.) Might her descendants reign in the hearts of their subjects and eir line of mouarchy continue for ages yet to come. (Continued applause.) He did not think it was necessary he should say any more to them, and he would now ask Lady Verney to drive over the bridge and declare it to be open. The band then played the National Anthem, and amid great cheering the procession passed over the bridge, in the following order :— Lady Verney and Mrs. Randall (in carriage). Lord and Sir Harry Verney, Bart, (mounted). Captain Verney, R.X., aud Miss Lattice Verney (mounted). Lady Addington, Hou. Egerton Hubbard, M.P., Mrs. Egertou Hubbard, and Hon. Miss Hubbard (in carriage). Mrs. E. H. Verney, Miss Ruth Verney, Master Harry Verney, aud Madame Michel (in carriage). Rev. T. Huntley Greene, and Mr. Edward Small (in carriage). Mr. Small’s carriage, with Mrs. Cheesman, and Mrs. Beusou (Mrs. Small and Miss Jackson being away from home). Mr. Farmborough’s with Mrs. Farmborough and Mrs. Ingram. Having driven over the bridge, the carriages turned some distance along the road to allow other conveyances to also cross the bridge. They then returned, the band now playing ” Auld Lang Syne.” When again on the centre of the bridge, Sir Harry Verney, Bart., seated upon his horse, addressed the assembly. He said he supposed he was by far the oldest man present, and that none of them recollected Steeple Claydon so far back in its history as he did. He thought they bad done most wise thing in erecting this bridge a permanent memorial of the Jubilee, concerning which their friend Mr. Small had spoken so truly and so eloquently. (Applause.)
Bucks Herald -Saturday 24 September 1887
