Oldham visit is a Windsor winner...

THE 1954 Chronicle image in the new exhibition

THE Chronicle photograph chosen to be part of a major exhibition to celebrate the Queen’s 60-year reign is now ready to go on show to the world.

“The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years” runs from Saturday, February 4, to Sunday, October 28, in the Drawings Gallery at Windsor Castle.

And the Chronicle is proud that one of its royal images has made it into the final 60 — the Queen inspecting local troops outside the old municipal health department next to Oldham Town Hall in 1954, taken by staff photographer Ted Woolley.

As part of the lead-up to the exhibition, current Chronicle Picture Editor Vincent Brown has been invited to a reception at Windsor Castle’s China Museum two days before the images go on show to the public.

Vincent said: “It’s a huge honour for the paper to be part of such a prestigious occasion.

“It recognises the work of the staff before us who were dedicated professionals with an eye for a great photograph.

Delighted
“It’s a great picture, the Queen looks happy and everybody’s eyes are on her.”

Curator of the exhibition, Lisa Heighway, of the Royal Collection, said: “We are particularly delighted to be able to exhibit this photograph. Taken in October, 1954, only two years after the Accession, it illustrates not only the start of the ceremony itself but also her great sense of duty and the affection in which she is held.

“Despite the wet weather, great crowds had gathered to see their young Queen — she carried an umbrella, they carried union flags. It’s a wonderful picture.”

* The Chronicle has a reader offer trip to London to see the exhibition at Windsor Castle.

The two-day trip departs on February 25, March 24, April 21 and October 4 and includes an overnight hotel stay with dinner and breakfast and admission to the exhibition from £119.95 per person. To book, call 01524-37500 and quote “Old” or visit www.oldham.reader.travel.