THE QUEEN’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Four students and I had the pleasure of attending a service at St Mary’s Church in Thornbury for a formal celebration of The Queen’s 90th Birthday for the whole of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, with a number of dignitaries from the two counties in attendance.

Also on the guest list for the invite-only event were 90 residents of the county who have reached the landmark age of 90.

Reverend Jan van der Lely, St Mary’s vicar who led the service, described it as “an uplifting and inspiring experience.”

The service will feature in an episode of Songs of Praise which will be broadcast on June 12.