VIDEO: Sleaford parish church launches Queen's birthday exhibition

In a commemorative project coordinated by Alison Wickstead and Beryl Risdell, the church has invited over 90 people of the town to submit information about themselves, a photo and a message of congratulations to The Queen.

A book of the submissions, from everyone from the Mayor Coun Garry Titmus and MP Stephen Phillips to a Brownie Olivia Barnatt and even The Standard’s own Andy Hubbert, has been compiled and sent to Buckingham Palace for The Queen’s approval.

After hymns and readings by the Mayor and MP, Rev Philip Johnson, Vicar of Sleaford led the State Prayers for The Queen and Royal Family before guests sang the National Anthem and made a toast to their monarch.

The exhibition was officially opened by The Queen’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Toby Dennis, who also cut a cake before a communal singing of Happy Birthday.

During the service the church’s bell team rang a Quarter Peal in celebration.

Mr Dennis the exhibition is very imaginative and very clever and beautifully done. “It shows the community spirit and respect to The Queen which is terrific. She is naturally a humble person and never expects anything, but this will touch her very closely and she will greatly appreciate it I’m sure,” he said.

He said the major celebrations will accompany her official birthday in June with a lot of things going on for him.

The exhibition will continue until The Queen’s official birthday on June 11.