The Official Opening of the Civic Centre by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, 31 October 1967

The Official Opening Of the Civic Centre by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, 31st October, 1967

There are views of the new building, built to house Southend-On-Sea Borough Council. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother arrives by motor car along streets lined with cheering well wishers. She is greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Colonel Sir John Ruggles Brise, the Mayor of Southend, Alderman Tom Ewart James and other dignitaries including the Recorder and the Town Clerk. All are in ceremonial regalia. The motorcade tours the streets of Southend, rounding the corner of London Road and Hamlet Court Road, proceeding along High Street to Porters, the Mayor's official residence. Her Majesty is presented to the Acting Chief Constable of Essex.The motorcade continues to the Civic Centre on Victoria Avenue. Here the Essex Police are controlling the crowds and the band of the Royal Marines School Of Music play. At the Civic Centre Her Majesty meets the Mayoress and is presented with a bouquet by Margaret Ewart James, the daughter of the mayor. The speeches, given in the main council chamber, are recorded in full. The Mayor recalls that when his father first came to Southend in 1907, the question on everyone's lips was when are we going to get a new civic centre? Her Majesty recalls her fond memories of previous visits to Southend and pays tribute to the work of local government. The new Civic Centre is dedicated by the Bishop of Chelmsford. The Deputy Mayor, Alderman Davis, offers a vote of thanks to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. There is a close up shot of a visitors' book and of a portrait given to the Town by Her Majesty. She unveils the plaque and talks to members of the council. Outside the Civic Centre, Her Majesty meets members of the public.

Featured Buildings

The Civic Centre, Southend-On-Sea; 'Porters,' the Residence of the Mayor of Southend.

Featured Events

The Official Opening Of the Civic Centre by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, 31st October, 1967

Keywords

Civic centres; local government; opening ceremonies; royalty

Background Information

The Civic Centre. Plans for the Civic Centre were commissioned in 1937 but the building programme was halted by the outbreak of World War II. In 1956, the Town Clerk submitted revised proposals to the Council. New plans were devised by the Borough Architect P.F. Burridge. Work on the site commenced in 1960. The Civic Centre also comprised the Police Headquarters, a Court House, buildings for the College of Technology and a car park. The Centre received a number of awards, including one from the Civic Trust. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Her Majesty visited Southend in 1929 to open the hospital and in 1953 to visit victims of the 1953 east coast floods.