We have lost our Queen, our leader and our friend. In 1999 she visited Keele University with Prince Philip. Only the rapid reactions of my wife and a colleague prevented this visit from not happening. Many will know that the route taken by the Queen’s cavalcade is, once established, set in stone. It cannot be altered. Security determines that a visit would be cancelled rather than its route changed at the last minute. My office looked out onto the road through Keele’s campus where the Queens cavalcade was expected. At the expected time I am looking through the window and watching the Queen’s cars approaching. My wife and a colleague are outside watching from the roadside. Below is a poem I wrote in haste about the events that followed.
The Queen and the Gate
The day arrived and all was ready
And yet, a metal gate, strong and steady
Stood alone, in defiance of the Queen
The cavalcade approached, its route set in stone
And yet still ( and stiller) the metal gate stood alone
In defiance of the Queen
A left turn and a policeman in crisis
The metal gate had been left to its own devices
In defiance of the Queen
Rescue arrived as two academics (Olga Exley and Gordon Wright)
Acted swiftly to remove the gate and spare the inevitable polemics
A service to the Queen
The Queen, aware, waved a hand to reward the gate pushers
Our embarrassment had been saved but where were the ushers?
In defiance of the Queen!
I was able to pen this ditty quickly and I posted it that day on the Keele staff email system. Needless to say no thanks were forthcoming from anyone in Keele’s senior management. Plus ca change.
👏🏻👏🏻Lovely poem and quick actions saved the day. Just another highlight showing these institutions can never admit any errors.
Splendid!