The Queen thanks Huddersfield care home residents for Platinum Jubilee card

THE QUEEN has thanked care home residents in Huddersfield after they sent a handmade card congratulating Her Majesty on her Platinum Jubilee.

Residents at Thornhill Care Home, on Thornhill Road, Edgerton, received the personalised letter from Windsor Castle, hand signed by Lady-in-Waiting Richenda Elton.

The letter said: “The Queen wishes me to thank you for the charming handmade card you sent on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

“The Queen greatly appreciates your kind messages of congratulations and your thoughtfulness in writing as you did in this historic year.”

A competition had been held among residents at the care home to produce the best coloured in crown to adorn the front of their congratulatory card.

Following an arts and crafts session in which many residents entered their crown pictures, Joyce Baumanis, 89, was selected as the winner.

Her picture was attached to the front of the card, which was then sent around the care home for each of the residents and staff members to sign and add a small message.

After being posted to Buckingham Palace prior to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, everyone at the home was hoping for a reply, which they received in July.

Joyce said: “I feel so proud.”

Fellow resident Eileen Cooper, 94, also took part in the colouring competition, using a magnifying glass as she is visually impaired. The activity reminded her of the card she received from The Queen for her diamond wedding anniversary, which she showed everyone at the care home.

Eileen said: “I was very pleased to take part.”

Ilona Ruttle, activities coordinator at Thornhill Care Home, came up with the idea of sending a card to The Queen.

She said: “I crossed my fingers and hoped and dreamed that just maybe we would receive a thank you back from Buckingham Palace.

“Everyone was amazed when we got a letter and beautiful card, embossed in gold lettering, with photos of The Queen.”

The letter and card have since been placed in the care home safe, until it has been mounted in a frame and hung on the wall, according to home manager Helen Parry.

She said: “It is such an honour for everyone at Thornhill Care Home to receive a thank you letter and card from Her Majesty The Queen. Let’s get it framed and put it in pride of place.”