REGULARS THOUGHT it was a red letter day when an impressive envelope from The Queen arrived at a landmark country inn in Delph…
With the New Year Honours just a few weeks away, speculation heightened when The Old Bell Inn revealed a photograph of the envelope addressed to managing director Phil Whiteman on Facebook.
It was accompanied by a note from the inn’s business development manager, Natalee Goas, which said: “Phil received a letter from her Majesty the Queen this morning… I wonder why?”
The award-winning hotel was deluged with messages from customers pressing for the answer – and they revealed they had written to The Queen to apply for Blue Plaque recognition.
Because research by Phil’s team showed the Queen’s grandmother, Queen Victoria, had visited the inn, formerly The Bell, as a princess in 1835 with a royal entourage.
Chronological notes by Saddleworth’s legendary writer Ammon Wrigley, held by curator Peter Fox at Saddleworth Museum, say Victoria and her mother, The Duchess of Kent, broke their journey at the inn on their way to the York Festival.
And additional research revealed the inn played host to some important guests, including the Royals, when the new tenant Henry Hardiman entertained.
This prompted Phil to write directly to The Queen asking if the visit could be verified and if they could display one of the prestigious Blue Plaques.
When the Queen’s response arrived Natalee said: “I put the envelope from Buckingham Palace on Facebook to create a bit of a buzz. I didn’t expect people to be so intrigued.
“Phil and I turned it into a bit of a practical joke when people were telephoning asking what was going on.
“We kept saying we ‘couldn’t reveal’ the information contained in the letter – and this created an even bigger stir!”
In a letter on crested Buckingham Palace notepaper, a royal spokesperson says: “Records relating to the reign of Queen Victoria are held at the foal archives at Windsor Castle and your letter is being forwarded to the senior archivist for consideration.”
If he receives relevant information, Phil is advised to contact the Blue Plaque scheme which is managed by English Heritage.
Phil said: “The letter certainly created an Internet response. Some messages were very funny and one customer asked if I was to receive a knighthood in the New Year’s honours list and another asked if she should curtsey when she next came to visit.
“It’s great to get such an interesting and positive response from the Palace.”
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