The Queen visited Ashdown Forest, the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood in A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books. As the patron of the Royal Literary Fund, Camilla, 78, celebrated the centenary of the first Winnie-the-Pooh book published in 1926.
During her visit, Camilla engaged in a game of ‘Pooh-Sticks’ at the original bridge from the stories with three children who won a poetry competition themed around Winnie-the-Pooh, organized by Ashdown Forest and the Royal Literary Fund. She also met with key figures in children’s literature and learned about the Royal Literary Fund’s activities.
Gyles Brandreth, sporting a Pooh sweater, read a passage from The House at Pooh Corner before the game began. Using sticks from Buckingham Palace’s garden, they played the game, with illustrator Axel Scheffler emerging as the victor.
Camilla also partook in a Pooh-Sticks competition with three poetry contest winners, expressing admiration for their talent. She later visited the A. A. Milne & E. H. Shepard Memorial, interacting with volunteers and staff, while children from Ashdown Primary School cheered her on.
During the event, Camilla inaugurated the Queen’s Walk, an all-weather trail, and shared remarks about her childhood memories of playing Pooh Sticks. She expressed excitement about the trail’s opening and the enduring popularity of Winnie-the-Pooh, anticipating a surge in visitors to Ashdown Forest.
In her closing speech, Camilla thanked the hosts and attendees for the memorable day, highlighting the significance of the newly inaugurated trail. The event concluded with Camilla cutting a celebratory cake and expressing her gratitude for the warm reception.
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