We celebrated HM the Queen’s 90th birthday on 16 April with afternoon tea in St. Andrews Church Community Centre. Well over 80 happy people attended, ranging in age from 2 to 95 years, representing different nationalities and over 12 different organizations in the nearby area. An efficient kitchen team baked, served and washed up and then cleared up to restore the hall to its former state.
We served an authentic English tea of scones, cucumber sandwiches and cake. With a small glass of champagne we toasted Her Majesty and we were transported to a different time and place with folk songs such as On Ilkla Moor baht’ at and There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza. Barbara Carnt gave us a wonderful rendering of Beethoven’s variations on God Save the Queen. A nursery school teacher read the lovely story of The Queen’s Hat to the children. Videos in the committee room and a display of memorabilia – albums and photos, illustrated the Queen’s long reign. Finally, a lovely birthday card designed by Jonathan Pitt, the RAFA Liaison officer, was signed by all and sent to Buckingham Palace. Joanna Koch noted in her short welcome how important faith is to the Queen and stated that the afternoon was in line with Her Majesty’s values of church, community, charity and the Commonwealth: I suspect also the value she places on afternoon tea.
Christine Green
British Residents’ Association of Switzerland