Queen left personal mark on Westman
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/09/2022 (1263 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
While news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death brought messages of sadness and mourning Thursday, it also stirred up fond memories for Brian Bailey, who says he’s always happy to reminisce about the historic visit the Royal Family made to his family farm in Carberry during the Manitoba leg of the Royals’ 1970 tour of Canada and Manitoba’s 100th anniversary.
It was a happy coincidence and good timing that brought the special guests to the Bailey farm, he said. His father, Thomas Roy Bailey, was named Mr. Manitoba Farmer at the Red River Exhibition in 1967. The man who organized that event was also arranging the Royal visit to Manitoba.
The Royal Family wanted to visit a Prairie farm, and the Baileys were close to the rail line that the tour was travelling along.
“You really can’t say no when the Royal Family asks if they can come visit,” Brian Bailey chuckled. “They were looking for a place for the family to have a relaxing break, and we were happy to have them.”
A deserted rail siding about a mile south of the farm was converted for the official visit. It was a bit nerve-wracking knowing they were hosting important guests, Bailey said, but once they arrived the family and their entourage were friendly, down-to-earth and professional. It wasn’t without some protocols, though.
The RCMP provided unassuming security with 26 plain-clothes officers, and horses from the Musical Ride that had been performing in Brandon.
Elizabeth and Prince Philip stayed on the train for the first day, but Prince Charles, Princess Anne and some of their entourage came to tour the farm on horseback. Everyone who rode was an experienced equestrian, he said, but it was Princess Anne and Prince Charles who were the strongest, riding hard and fast around the farm while checking out the livestock and fields.
“I don’t think the horses were used to running so fast and furiously, but Charles and Anne thought they could give them a good run,” Bailey joked.
The Queen and Philip joined them the next morning and had another ride around the farm. The Royals and Baileys spent most of their day resting in the backyard over coffee and cake.
Something that struck Bailey was how knowledgeable Philip was about farming. Many of his conversations were with Bailey’s brothers about their operation and crops.
As well, Elizabeth was an avid photographer and spent time taking pictures of the farm, the Baileys and the Royal Family.
Despite the high-ranking status of the Royals, Bailey said they were like any ordinary, close-knit family. His father reunited with the Royal couple in June 2010, when Bailey wrote to the then-premier Greg Selinger requesting his father meet the pair during their last visit to the province.
His request was granted. During the meeting, Bailey said, the Queen wasted no time greeting his father and Philip was keen on knowing how the farm was holding up.
Thomas Roy Bailey died the following January at age 95.
While the Queen’s death is sombre news, Brian Bailey said he never tires of talking about that historic visit. “She was a great lady, gracious and I really just want to see her get a great send off for all she has done,” he said. “We as a nation can talk about the future of Charles later, but from meeting him, I have no doubt he will be a great king.”
During her reign, Elizabeth left an indelible mark on Brandon, most notably during her 1970 visit to Manitoba. During that tour on July 11, she bestowed official royal patronage to the Manitoba Winter Fair, which it carries to this day.
News of her passing cast sadness over the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, said president Kathy Cleaver in a statement. Elizabeth’s royal patronage of the fair marked a new era for the organization and event and has been an honour ever since.
“Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was an integral part of all our lives, our directors, our staff, and we will never forget how fortunate we are to have received the royal designation from the Queen herself,” she said. “We take the royal designation seriously and to the heart. We strive to maintain the standards that we believe were important to the Queen. The Queen was strong on tradition and values, and so are we.”
Messages of condolence poured in from all over Manitoba and Canada upon news of the Queen’s death. In Brandon, city flags already lowered for the recent murders in Saskatchewan will remain at half-mast until the sunset of her funeral, a news release stated.
Speaking on behalf of the city, Mayor Rick Chrest stated in the release the city is grateful for her leadership, grace and the quiet resolve she provided to the Commonwealth, including Canada. “Our community will join millions of citizens around the world in mourning the passing of our Queen,” he said.
Premier Heather Stefanson stated the Queen had developed a special relationship with Manitoba during her 70-year reign, visiting the province on six separate occasions: 1951 (as a princess), 1959, 1970, 1984, 2001 and 2010. Her visits took her all over the province, including Norway House, Flin Flon, Swan River, The Pas, Portage la Prairie and Dauphin. She visited many attractions and made personal connections with everyone she met.
“As a young woman, Her Majesty pledged to devote her whole life to service and to show ‘an unwavering faith, a high courage, and a quiet heart.’” Stefanson stated. “The Queen accomplished this and so much more. On behalf of all Manitobans, I extend our sympathies to His Majesty King Charles III and the entire Royal Family.”
Manitobans are invited to “sign” a virtual book of condolence at manitobalg.ca.
Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville echoed those sentiments in an official statement Thursday.
“On behalf of all Manitobans, I offer heartfelt sympathies to Her Majesty’s beloved and devoted family, who will carry Her Majesty’s legacy forward with the same loyalty and commitment for many generations to come,” stated Gamiero. “I share with all Canadians, and the other peoples of the Commonwealth, a great sense of loss on her passing.
“May Her Majesty rest in peace. Long live the King.”
Charles, 73, will succeed Elizabeth. A date for his formal coronation has yet to be announced.
» kmckinley@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @karenleighmcki1
