Mrs Ruby Norris

In May 1965 our Granny, Ruby Norris, represented the Bottesford and District Women’s Institute at a garden party at Buckingham Palace celebrating the Institute’s Golden Jubilee. As a member of the Sandringham branch, Queen Elizabeth II hosted the event for 9000 attendees.

The photograph shows our Granny in the outfit she wore for the occasion, a yellow patterned dress and a co-ordinating wide brimmed hat, that she made herself during millinery classes held in Bottesford.

The celebration was mentioned in the Nottingham Evening Post in May 1965, recording Granny’s attendance together with other representatives from the surrounding areas.

Her daughter, our aunt, Mrs Yolande Honey recalls that Granny wore this outfit again at her wedding to Jim Coleman a few weeks later. We remember her looking beautiful and elegant, as always, at both events.