Her Majesty The Queen officially opened one of the UK’s biggest veterans housing projects in recent years consisting of 68 homes at Haig Housing’s headquarters estate in Morden which will provide much needed accommodation for ex-military personnel and their families…
Hundreds of school children from Abbotsbury Primary lined the entry route waving Union Jack flags with raucous excitement as Her Majesty’s Bentley entered the estate. The Queen was met by the Lord Lieutenant of London, Sir Kenneth Olisa who then presented her to Deputy Lord Lieutenant Claire Whelan and Mayor Janice Howard from Merton Council.
Chair of Haig’s Trustees Mrs Cathy Lester-Walker and Chief Executive Brig James Richardson then guided Her Majesty through a tour of the new estate, meeting beneficiaries, viewing some of the new homes, meeting the architects, builders and contract agents.
Queen Elizabeth was presented a posy of flowers by 6 year old Naomi Gurung before HM was introduced to participants in last year’s The Long Walk Home, commemorating 100 years since the end of World War 1. The pathway through the new green area was lined with Haig Staff, family, friends and residents along with children from Morden Primary School.
Her Majesty beamed as she accepted dozens of floral arrangements and even chuckled when one enthusiastic child yelled out to her “You’re the best Queen in the world!”
The Trustees of Haig and some senior staff were presented to Her Majesty, along with representatives from other Veterans charities, before the official unveiling of the commemorative plinth. This was indeed a very special day for all involved and those who witnessed it will treasure those memories forever.