CITY residents celebrating a 70th birthday this year enjoyed a special afternoon tea with the Lord Mayor yesterday.
The council received around 300 applications for the event, which celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and people’s birthdays.
But only a select few were fortunate enough to attend afternoon tea in the mayor’s parlour on Tuesday.
June Reynolds, who turns 70 today, said: “It was a lovely surprise to be invited to this, especially as it’s my birthday on Wednesday.
“We moved away from Southampton but came back in 1986.”
Her husband Mike remembers watching the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
He said: “My sister was born the day before the Queen’s coronation.
“On the day, it was raining and my uncle brought a TV for my grandparents and all the next door neighbours came round to watch.”
Around 40 people went to Tuesday’s event, and due to the council receiving so many applications, a second tea party is being held today.
Southampton local Angie Donawa turns 70 in six months and was “really honoured” to be invited to the event.
She said: “I have lived in Southampton all my life - I worked in Debenhams for 18 years before working in Marks and Spencers for 30 years.
“I feel really honoured to be here. It is lovely because we get to meet the Mayor.”
Friends Sharon Marsden and Kathy Davis attended the tea party together.
The pair met at Eastleigh College 50 years ago and have been firm friends ever since.
Sharon said: “I think it is particularly special as we are not just celebrating the Jubilee, but we are welcoming the new Mayor too.”
Kathy added: “We were amazed we got invited. We thought there would be a lot of people here today, but it is nice that it’s intimate.”
Lord Mayor Jacqui Rayment said: “Obviously with this being the start of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we wanted to recognise the residents of Southampton who are celebrating a 70th birthday.
“We wanted to show our appreciation in some small way for their lives and what better way than to celebrate with a traditional tea party themed on cake.”
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