During an interview about his interaction with the Queen in 1977, former Powell River mayor Stewart Alsgard shared with the Peak a paper copy of the Powell River Town Crier, which highlighted the monarch’s visit in May of 1971.
The following reports were in that issue:
'The Royals' are warm, gracious, superb!
By Al Alsgard (May 10, 1971)
Royalty may never again visit Papertown. Be that as it may, the visit was an experience none will forget.
The prayers of the young people were answered. Princess Anne overcame her slight stomach upset and was able to be at church services. And the prayers of everyone were answered. Beautiful British Columbia broke out its brightest skies, and the Sunshine Coast especially put on its best bib and tucker for Her Majesty's visit. The Queen's slight throat discomfort did not bother her.
The Queen is coming! That was the word four weeks ago, and it has been a long period of detailed preparation. I feel for the few people on whom the details fell, the people who were really in the mud, and my hat's off to them for their quiet and efficient conquering of the problems.
It was indeed a smooth-running performance. It was to be a simple event. Ah yes! But to keep things simple requires a lot of work by a lot of people. This they did, admirably.
“Make her face shine upon us,” asked an editorial in The News. Indeed it did. The radiance of the Royal Personage at close range is indescribable. Her Majesty, The Prince and The Princess get full honours for thoughtful consideration.
The Queen pauses, turns and waits at every opportunity for the hundreds of clicking shutters.
His Royal Highness never misses a detail: a kiddie, an unusual garment (as when he sought out the visitors from Kingcome Inlet, Bella Bella and Bella Coola, and the little girl who just looked at him and giggled in a what-do-I-do-now quandary.) His reading of the scripture passage (Philemon, 1:2) was pure Shakespeare and a delight to the ear and mind.
The church service at St. John’s-Westview United Church was an unforgettable event. From the moment of ARCT organist Margaret Bowes’ prelude, to the departure of the Royal Party and the closing notes, this congregation was reverently attentive. His Royal Highness read the scripture theme, the venerable RS Faulks of St. David’s led the pastoral prayer, asking: “Eternal God grant we most humbly beseech Thee honour and safety to our sovereign lady, Queen Elizabeth…patient service to the concord of the world… we yield hearty thanks for thy loving kindness in appointing this good land of Canada to be our dwelling place among the children of men.”
Reverend Parry McGaffin of Foursquare Gospel Church, in the formal welcome to the Royal Party, hoped that they would carry away a pleasant memory and that this might be a day of renewal for all. The choir of St. John’s-Westview had as its anthem “How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings,” for which Mrs. Willam Wright was the capable soloist, and Reverend Roy Rodgers delivered the sermon.
It was a regular service, such as one may enjoy at any time in Powell River. As one minister mentioned, to a disappointed lady who could not get into the main body of the church: “We are open every Sunday of the year, and you'll be welcome next Sunday or any other Sunday.”
The Royals listened attentively, the party and official visitors occupying the first four pews of the right-front section of the church. Special kneeling-pads had been made for them, to meet the custom of the Church of England, and these will be kept as mementos for future wedding services in St. John’s-Westview.
The new English version bible from which Prince Philip read was especially provided by lieutenant Rodgers of the naval reserve for the use of the Admiral of the Fleet, and was autographed for the occasion.
Her Majesty wore a simple but striking purple suit with a softly-mauve hat carrying a small cluster of violets. Princess Anne chose a scarlet dress, and ensemble red hat with broad white striping. Her dark ash-blonde hair was shoulder length. The Duke wore a conservative dark-grey suit, black-striped shirt and gold tie.
Ushers for the service were Gordon Creamer, Art Van Der Est, Jack Blackhall, Glen Lewis, Dudley Pearson, Robert Martin, R. Abbot, Jim Grant and C. R. Newbury.
Those who were able to attend the church services in the main auditorium took no chances of missing anything. With the service due to start at 10:15 am, which it did, 75 per cent of the congregation was in its seats by 9:15 am. A loudspeaker service in adjoining halls accommodated part of the overflow.
In the special Royal Party pews were Honourable Isabel and Mr. Jack Dawson, His
Honour and Mrs. James Court, Sgt and Mrs. Lowell Davidson, chief and Mrs. Joe Mitchell of Sliammon, BC Centennial chairman Laurie Wallace and Mrs. Wallace, members of the royal household and staff, tour officials and two scarlet tunicked RCMP special security officers.
Her Majesty Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor put Union Jacks in everyone’s eyes. She casts a regal spell so much so that several people walked out of the church still clutching their hymnaries.
And she was the understanding Queen when eight-year-old Cathy Luff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Luft, presented her with a bouquet. Cathy was the guest of Captain and Mrs. J. A. Fraser of The Salvation Army, and had her curtsy and her presentation speech down pat right up to the moment. Then everything failed her on the church steps, and she had to reach for Mrs. Fraser with: “And what do I do now?”
But it all went off with the aplomb, which is part of a regal presentation.
And Timmy Fraser, six, son of Captain and Mrs. Fraser, had a corsage for Princess Anne, and a yellow boutonniere for The Duke, who greeted the offering with the surprise a young lad would hope for.
HR The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, “was just great!” in the consensus of those who met him. He never misses a thing, with interested eyes darting here and there, and often holds up the royal entourage while he chats freely and interestedly with those who catch his interested glance.
Mrs Roy Rodgers and Mrs. R. S. Faulks had a “wonderful few minutes” with the prince, enjoying a private joke which he instigated.
Princess Anne, in chatting with Reverend Roy Rodgers, imagined he could have a lot of trouble with his name, and then in a serious vein expressed her pleasure at the morning’s service.
Powell River did itself proud. It backed up the hope expressed in the church program wherein a welcome was extended to the royal visitors:
“May their visit among us be a pleasant interlude…”
It was summed up in the words of one hardworking minister: “What do we do for an encore?"
Admonished Mrs. Kate Lloyd: “Now write this up so I don’t have to wade through columns of type!”
Said I: “I’m sorry, I don’t have time to write it in short form…”
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By John Smail (May 10, 1971)
The sun smiled on the Sunshine Coast yesterday. The weather for this seventh day of Her Majesty’s 10-day visit to British Columbia was such that I began to believe perhaps Premier W. A. C. Bennett is really “tuned in” up there.
Almost seven days of perfect weather and perfectly receptive crowds to a perfect monarch! Somebody is exerting some influence on our behalf.
The day was crisp, yet warm in the sun. The sun itself was on its best behaviour, positioned perfectly so as not to cast shadows on too many faces. Even the wind was blowing from the southwest, carrying the kraft odour and mill smog up Powell Lake away from Westview. Which didn’t leave Prince Philip any opening to tell us what to do with our socks.
The response from the several thousand papertowners who lined the royal route was as warm and spontaneous as Her Majesty’s smile. And she seemed to smile at every turn.
At one point on the wharf I was the only photographer between The Queen and the sea. She turned to me and smiled and held it. I smiled back. I forgot about my camera long enough to miss the best shot of the day.
Her smile is infectious. Despite the fact this smile seems to be there at all times, there is an unaffected warmth about it, which draws a crowd out.
“Happy Mother’s Day!” shouted some. Others clapped, some cheered, but everybody smiled back.
Honourable Isabel Dawson, MLA from Mackenzie riding, was at wharf-side to meet The Queen, Prince Philip and Princess Anne, and introduce them to a party of seven.
Although the full story may never be told, it was mainly through the efforts of this minister without portfolio that The Queen changed her itinerary to include a one-and-a-half hour visit to Papertown. Also on hand at quayside were mayor and Mrs. Jim Court, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Davidson, chief and Mrs. Joe Mitchell and Jack Dawson. Following the introductions, the Royal Party, preceded by a troupe of scurrying newsmen, made its way to shore.
The personable Prince Philip made a cursory inspection of the Yum Yum and was told by harbourmaster Doug Kermode: "Yes, it is a genuine Chinese junk.”
Yes, it is a royal prerogative to be punctual. The royal barge, identifiable from other similar barges by its size and a pair of chrome dolphin handrails, arrived at Westview wharf right on schedule: 10:05 am. And from there on the timetable was strictly adhered to, until Her Majesty’s yacht Britannia set sail at 11:20 am.
And the sun also shone on those aboard the royal yacht. Reports from the yacht were that each member of a fishing party caught their limit of spring salmon in Georgia Strait yesterday.
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By John Smail (May 10, 1971)
A report issued from the Queen's press secretary late last night in Vancouver was that the Royal Party enjoyed a barbecue and exploratory hike on the 200-acre Twin Islands 30 miles north of here.
An enquiry of residents of Cortez Island, adjacent to Twin Island, confirmed that RCMP boats were patrolling the vicinity most of the afternoon. I was unable to establish the name of the owner of Twin Islands, but two sources said he was a German prince, believed to be a cousin of Prince Philip’s.
The Twins are presently uninhabited. The owners are reported to make occasional visits by floatplane. At high tide the two high-ground sections of the islands are separated by a narrow stretch of water.
Mrs Doreen Guthrie, a longtime resident of Cortez, described the Twins as a “perfect retreat.” And Ken Hansen, who operates a guest house on Cortez, described the one building on Twins: “It is very luxurious. There is a series of log cabins with 14 bedrooms and bathrooms between each. Animal skins adorn the walls, Everything is made of logs, even the tables. There is a solid brick fireplace five feet high.”
Plans for this royal barbecue must have been laid well in advance. It was a well-kept secret; even the neighbours didn’t suspect.
