MEMORIES have been shared of when many turned out to see the Queen opening the new Derwent Cumberland Pencil Factory back in 2008.
On June 5, 2008, the Queen and HRH Prince Philip came and did a tour of the new factory, then unveiled a plaque that the company still have in their reception.
School children from around Workington were taken up to the factory to see the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they attended.
Six-year-old Sophie Humes, who was a pupil at Ashfield Infants School, was chosen to give the Queen a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the people of the town.
Children from Ashfield Infants School Workington
Now 21, Sophie has described what it was like to meet the monarch, whose 70-year reign she was only alive for a quarter of.
She said: “I met the Queen when she was visiting Cumbria and I was just a very young girl.
“Although it was such a long time ago I have always remembered it fondly and it’s a story I have always loved to tell.”
The Derwent Cumberland Pencil Company were incredibly proud to have the monarch open their new factory and have happy memories to hold of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s visit.
The Queen receiving a tour around the factory
Barbara Murray, technical manager for The Cumberland Pencil Company said: “It was a lovely day and they both seemed really interested in the factory.
“They had a lovely sense of humour, making everyone laugh as they signed the visitor book.”
