Mary Stockton of Priory WI recounts The Queen’s visit to the Powys Picnic at Dolau. The visit was in June 2002 to mark her Golden Jubilee.

“It was June 12 and I rose early to travel to Dolau Station, not unusual for me as I had done it so many times before, years ago.

In those days it was to catch the 8:30am train to attend secondary school. Today it was different, however as the Queen was expected, arriving on the Royal Train.

How different the village looked this morning with flags and bunting everywhere with crowds of people arriving and an atmosphere buzzing with excitement.

This was the day of the Powys Picnic when the people of this very rural part of Wales had the chance to meet Her Majesty and celebrate her Golden Jubilee. This was the be a memorable day but particularly for the children, arriving in coachloads from all parts of Powys.

Many hours had been spent by the Picnic organisers in turning the large field adjacent to the chapel into a miniature show ground. As we all poured onto the field, everyone was offered a Union Jack cap to wear and a flag to wave. The children joined a youth choir and sang to the crowds with great gusto as we all waited patiently for the Queen to arrive.

At 11am The Royal Train pulled slowly into the station. Very soon, the Queen, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting and Prince Philip, appeared on the field and began an informal walkabout, stopping a chatting at various exhibits. There were corgis to greet, ponies to admire, a llama with a spotless white coat, newly-born puppies and other animals. Well-groomed Welsh sheep were on parade, the Powys County WI ladies were displaying their many skills and a wood carver presented a lifelike corgi carved from walnut, a gift from the children of Powys.

Too soon is was time for the Royal Party to leave in a helicopter which was waiting nearby. As we waved them off into the blue sky, a great cheer arose and we were all delighted as the helicopter circled above the field before flying on to South Wales.

After the departure of Her Majesty, I went to see the plaque on the station platform which she has unveiled to commemorate her visit. Gone were the days of the station master, station house, signal box, ticket office and waiting room. In place now were beautiful beds of flowers and grassed areas with a small modern shelter. A team of local residents have worked hard for many years to make the station look very attractive.

Before leaving, I visited the Baptist Chapel which was being used as a temporary office for the festivities. I had attended Sunday school there during my childhood and sat again just below the pulpit. Memories came flooding back as I remembered how vast it seemed then as I waited patiently for my turn to recite before a ‘full house’.

Arriving back at the car, I placed my balloon (in the shape of an owl on a long twig) carefully on the back seat. I had stood in a long queue of children to receive this, to give to my six-year-old great niece who was unable to be there. It was only then that I had realised I had been carrying it aloft for the past hour! Oh well, it was a day for the children after all and one which this ‘youngster’ will not forget in a hurry.”