Great Memories- Nan Meets the Mayor!

Back in 1978 my Grandmother Mary Ellen Bateman (My Nan) visited her old home of Wolverhampton. .....

She had visiting with her my Aunt Peggy (her Daughter)
and My Uncle Bill ( Her son), also travelling were my with Aunt Lena (Uncle Bills Wife) and Scott Bradford, my Auntie Peggy' son.
During their stay I arranged for Nan and the family to meet the then Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Jessie Beddows in the Mayor's Parlour in the old Town Hall.

It was a nice affair with everyone on best behaviour, all of us were in our best clothes. It was not a 'normal' thing to do!

The most outstanding memory I have, was that the Mayor was showing Nan the Queen's Jubilee Medal that she had just been awarded by Her Royal Highness, and Nan (God bless her cotton socks!) thought the Mayor was giving it too her.

There was a second or two of silence, and Nan graciously nodded her head, and said very deliberately "Thank You!"

A shock passed over the Mayors face ! Taking back the medal quickly she said " its not a gift I am only showing it to you!"

There was an embarrassing silence all round then laughter! It was a great occasion and it made a talking point in our family here in England for years.

In the Photo left to right back row - Phil Bateman; Aunt Peggy (real name Violet Bradford);Uncle Bill Bateman ;Aunty Lena; Front -Scott Bradford; Mayor Councillor Jessie Beddows; my Mom Eileen Bateman (in her Sunday best!) and my Nan.

This was a special occasion and the visit from our Canadian family was just brilliant. Uncle Bill 'cussing' the road signs and "Circles" ( that was his descriptions of roundabouts!) he just did not get them, and there was often a gasp in the car as he approached them!

Nan was born in Wolverhampton and it gave her a great thrill to visit the Town Hall and take tea with the Mayor.

Happy days and some fond memories.....