A tea party to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday was held in Aberdeenshire yesterday.
James Ingleby, Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, organised the celebrations which were held at Aswanley, near Huntly.
Those who joined the festivities were those who also toasted their 90th birthday in April, as well as their accompanying guest.
Entertainment was provided by London pianist Steve Rose, renowned Tarland fiddler Paul Anderson and singing trio the Glass Gals.
Mr Ingleby said: “It’s lovely to see so many people from all over Aberdeenshire coming together to celebrate both their birthdays and Her Majesty’s birthday as well.
“Some of the people here today do live in homes for the elderly, so I hope this has been a wonderful day out for them and a real treat for their birthday.
“I think the whole day has worked out so well.”
Mr Ingleby’s wife, and local councillor Moira, added: “It was such a momentous occasion for Her Majesty, so to bring together all the people who live in Aberdeenshire who were born the same April as she was is a very special thing to do.
“We didn’t want to make it too formal but to just be able to celebrate with them is lovely, we wanted to create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can enjoy themselves and meet some other people.
“I think this is the sort of thing the Queen would have wanted, Her Majesty said she didn’t want a great big formal event, but she herself is having a tea party, and this helps all the people in the land do that.”
Keith Lindridge attended yesterday’s tea with his mother, Eleanor.
He said the day had been a “fabulous opportunity” for her to enjoy celebrating the Queen’s birthday along with her own.
The 62-year-old said: “I was very keen to get involved with today’s event and to bring my mother along.
“It’s great to have something like this put on to celebrate the Queen’s birthday which also celebrates other people turning 90 in April this year, especially as it was such an important year, to be able to do something rather than just watching something on the television is a fabulous opportunity.
“And it’s good to meet others in such a wonderful setting.”
William Gordon, 90, said he had been looking forward to the party and that it had been “thoroughly enjoyable”.
He said: “I first saw about the tea party in the paper and called up immediately and now I am sat here today meeting so many others who share this milestone birthday with Her Majesty.
“It’s a lovely thing to have been held for Aberdeenshire and something for everyone to look forward to – the theme is lovely, it has been done very well and is thoroughly enjoyable.”
