As the nation mourns the loss of a great lady, we remind readers of happier times enjoyed by all

Every time the Royal Family appears at Sandringham, spectators voice their admiration – but they always speak about the Queen Mother with special warmth.

Unique was the word to describe the world's best-loved grandmother. There can never be another member of the Royal Family like her. No one will ever have such a special place in the heart of the nation – and in Norfolk that bond was particularly strong.

As the Queen Mother had made no secret of her love of Norfolk, so the county’s people were open in their affection for her. It was the friendly, sincere personality of the Queen Mother which endeared her to the men, women and children of Norfolk.

The Queen Mother had a deep affection for the county and particularly Sandringham where her husband, King George VI, was born and where he died in February 1952.

The big house set in parkland, woods and common held many memories for her. It was the place where her family could relax away from the pomp and ceremony of the Court and where she herself liked to take long walks. It was there, during the lifetime of the King, that four generations of the Royal family went for Christmas and where the King spent much of his leisure time shooting.

The Queen Mother had a special concern for the people of the villages on the Sandringham estate and in King’s Lynn where she frequently attended concerts and the festival of which she was patron.

She is remembered as president of Sandringham Women’s Institute and at least once a year would attend an ordinary meeting, sign the minutes, say a few words and then take her seat at one of the tables for a cup of tea.

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