Queen Mother visits Homerton
In 1957, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, visited Homerton to open the newest building onsite.
Mrs Elspeth King (née Calder) studied at Homerton in 1956-57 for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, one of the first postgraduate courses offered.
Elspeth writes:
On a lovely mid-summer morning in June 1957, I was one of the Homerton students, all wearing our best flowery, cotton dresses, as we stood on the front drive to greet Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She alighted from her car outside the front gate, and we curtsied as she walked slowly along the path towards the new Queen’s Wing. She then made a short opening address. I remember she spoke of the Christian origins of Homerton and its service to our nation in training teachers. She also mentioned the values of Christian marriage and family life for children, and the special vocation in teaching younger children.
After she had toured the new Queen’s Wing, she was entertained to lunch with the staff and a few students in the Great Hall – before departing. Afterwards Miss Skillicorn summoned us all to the Hall: ‘Her Majesty has asked me to give you this message – she thought you were all looking charming and she is glad that British children will be taught by such delightful and happy teachers. Her Majesty is a modest person and this is her genuine sentiment.’