Her Majesty The Queen's 80th Birthday Party

The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Bateman MBE, hosted a celebration yesterday to mark the Queen’s 80th birthday.

People living in the city who were born in 1926 had been invited to the Mayor’s Parlour on Thursday, May 11, for tea and cakes, as part of the birthday celebrations.

At 11.30am, following the Mayor’s event, a special service took place at St Peter’s Church.

The Mayor gave a reading during the service, as did Hon Alderman George Howells, who himself turned 80 on January 1, 2006.(here cutting the cake!)

The readings reflected the precious gifts and abilities of mature age. Music at the service included the national anthem and the hymn Jerusalem.

Everyone was welcome to attend the service, which lasted for around half an hour.

The Mayor placed a book in the Civic Centre for people to write their birthday messages for the Queen, who turned 80 on April 21, and this is soon to be sent on to Buckingham Palace.

Councillor Bateman said " It was a wonderful morning and both Mary and I thoroughly enjoyed the morning. It was just simply wonderful to see so many octogenarians turn out. I believe that there were around 80 or so in our Party. I want to thank those that gave a small donation to the Mayor's General Charities Fund, it was most appreciated.

I certainly liked having the photographs taken! It made me feel like a pop star!"