Village turns red, white and blue to welcome VIPs

SALTAIRE was transformed into a sea of red, white and blue yesterday as hundreds of people turned out to welcome the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh who were visiting the world heritage site as part of their Diamond Jubilee tour of the nation.

Crowds including flag-waving children had been waiting outside since 8am to catch a glimpse of the royal couple as they arrived for a lunch hosted by technology company Pace.

One onlooker remarked: “She looks very happy to be here. Thankfully the weather has stayed fine.”

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Large crowds gathered in Victoria Road to see the Queen and Prince Philip who were visiting the Bradford district for the first time in five years.

Melanie Harley, of Keighley, who was among the onlookers, had been waiting for more than five hours. She said: “I love the Queen. I absolutely love her. She’s amazing. She’s the hardest- working person in the whole country.”

Children from Glenaire Primary School wearing crowns made for the occasion were also among the crowd.

The Queen, who greeted the throng of excited wellwishers with broad smiles, was treated to an aerial acrobatic display and musical performances by local schoolchildren.

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The royal visitors were welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, councillor Dale Smith, and met workers at Pace before moving onto Salts Mill for a lunch of Yorkshire produce, which was attended by local dignitaries, including Yorkshire Post editor Peter Charlton.

The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, who is the Queen’s representative in the region, was also present during the visit.

Saltaire was seen as the ideal place for the Queen and Prince Philip to visit because of the mill and the historic village built by Sir Titus Salt for its workers.

The Queen is travelling to every region in the country during the tour to celebrate her 60 years on the throne and yesterday’s visit to Saltaire follows her trip to Tyneside, Teesside and Durham on Wednesday.

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One her last visit to Bradford in May 2007, she officially opened the Bradford Police headquarters in Nelson Street and the Hindu Temple in Leeds Road. She was also presented with a posy from the two children of Bradford police officer Sharon Beshenivsky, who was shot dead on duty in the city.

A decade earlier, hundreds of people turned out to see her open Centenary Square.

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