Queens Platinum Jubilee Research

The council Youth Representative Matthew Taylor has compiled information of certain locations within our community that have a connection to the Queen.

Hope Parish Church

Hope Parish Church dedicated to St Cynfarch and St. Cyngar, has historically been at the centre of the community. Therefore, historically the church has been the centre point for many communal celebrations and commemorations, many of these have been for royal events. In 2012, the annual Chester Giants Festival had a special parade to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee. The parade comprised sixty giant Queen Elizabeth II’s for the Diamond Jubilee. Amongst these sixty giant Queens was one made by members of Hope Parish Church. A cast of the head from the giant Queen Elizabeth’s (every one of the sixty was made with the same cast), was given to Hope Parish Church. The cast of the Queens head has since been put on display in the grounds of the church, whenever there is a royal event to commemorate. The cast of the Queens head has been put on display in Hope Parish Church, for the Queens ninetieth birthday celebrations in 2016 and again in 2022 for the Platinum Jubilee. In 2016, Hope Church held a service of thanksgiving for the Queen followed by refreshments in the church hall afterwards. The event was held over the weekend of the Queen’s ninetieth birthday celebrations in June 2016. The service of thanksgiving was based on the national thanksgiving service held in St. Paul’s Cathedral that weekend for the jubilee, using the same readings and some of the hymns. The refreshments that were held afterwards was also inspired by the large picnic that took place outside Buckingham Palace, on the same day as the service in Hope, to celebrate the Queens ninetieth birthday.

The Willow Playfields

After a decade long hiatus, the Hope, Caergwrle and Abermorddu Carnival returned in 2012 to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee. Since at least the nineteenth century the Parish of Hope has traditionally, hosted some form of a carnival up until around the turn of the century. The reprised carnival saw the return of many traditions from the historical Hope and Caergwrle carnival. Amongst these resurrected traditions included, a parade through the streets of Caergwrle, the nomination and crowning of the carnival Queen and the arrival of the “old king and queen of Caergwrle.” For the carnival parade in 2012, the giant Queen which was made by members of Hope Church (see above) was a part of the pageant. The parade itself had a royal theme for the Diamond Jubilee, which including children and young people who were members of the local scouts, cubs, beavers and boys brigade dress as royals. Initially, the carnival was revived to celebrate both the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic Games being held in London that year. However, the day proved so successful that the carnival was had again he following year. The Hope, Caergwrle and Abermorddu Carnival was therefore revived and held around the first weekend in July each year, until 2020. The carnival had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. There are no plans for the carnival to be held in 2022. However, it is hoped that the carnival will one year return.

The Coronation Gardens

The Coronation Gardens are situated on the banks of the River Alyn, near the Bridge End Dental Practice and Caergwrle Train Station. The gardens were created by Hope Parish Council (as it was then known as) in 1953, to commemorate the coronation of the Queen which took place in that year. Within the gardens is a plaque that commemorates its opening. Today the gardens are renowned as a peaceful location to sit and listen and watch to birds and the river.

Caergwrle Train Station

In 1953 the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh visited Wrexham. The royal party travelled to North East Wales by train. The royal party boarded off their train at Caergwrle station where they were driven the remainder of the route to their destination in Wrexham. Many members of our community remember this event and seeing the Queen appear in their village at their station.

Abermorddu Primary School

In 2003 the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh made another visit to North East Wales. The royal party were visiting Mold and Wrexham. Enroute from Mold to Wrexham the royal party travelled through Caergwrle and Abermorddu by car. The event is notable for taking place fifty years after the Queens first appearance in our community. Similar to 1953, many locals remember seeing the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh drive through Caergwrle and Abermorddu. Many residents came out to see the royal car, especially the pupils of Abermorddu CP. Staff and pupils at the school went onto the school field which faces the Mold Road, to watch and cheer as the royal car drove past. The royal car slowed down as it drove past the school, so that the pupils and staff could see the Queen, who waved to them.

Caergwrle Masonic Hall

In 2002 the Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester. Traditionally, before the Commonwealth Games begin, a relay of the Queens baton is held throughout the commonwealth nations include Wales. In 2002, the Queens baton came through Caergwrle on its High Street. Many local residents gathered around the area of the Masonic Hall and Caergwrle car park, to watch as the baton came through, containing a message written by the Queen. Traditionally, the message inside the baton is not read until the baton arrives at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Edinburgh and Windsor Avenue

Edinburgh and Windsor Avenue in Caergwrle was built along with nearby Porch Lane, as a council house estate after the Second World War in the 1940’s and 1950’s, as part of the national post-war scheme to rehouse people who lost their homes, as a result of the war. During this period, saw the wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth to Prince Phillip in 1947, followed by the Queens succession to throne in 1952 just several years later. The two streets were named to commemorate these royal events.