Mrs. Sophia Aslett aged 100 presents Princess Margaret with a bouquet
From the Archive: Princess Margaret stops at Benhall & meets Village Centenarian
Princess Margaret, beginning a weekend stay in Suffolk yesterday evening, made a last minute addition to her programme to meet a Suffolk Centenarian. So sprightly did the old lady look that the Princess thought her daughter was her sister.
The royal visitor arrived in a Heron of the Queen’s Flight at Bentwaters U.S.A.F. base wearing mauve and white. She was on her way to Sternfield House where she was to be the guest of Sir Arthur Penn, Treasurer to the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, when she stopped at Benhall.
White haired Mrs. Emma Sophia Aslett, 100 in February, joined other villagers gathered in the main street to give the royal visitor a solid welcome.
Across the road from the ivy-covered cottage where Mrs. Aslett has lived for 70 years, villagers had arranged a park bench for the old lady. Half a dozen housewives put bins of flowers on either side of it and a carpet in front.
Twenty minutes before the royal car was due to arrive, Benhall’s only centenarian, who taught infants at the village school for 34 years, took up her place on the bench, seated under a street banner telling the Princess, “Benhall Greets You”.
Ted Ayden can be seen right of this image walking toward waiting Benhall residents on left. With sign ‘Benhall Greets You’ over the street
Left to right front: seated Sophia Aslett, daughter Win Aslett with Ted Ayden standing
From the Archive (continued):
Mrs. Aslett walked confidently from her cottage on the arm of the village sub-postmaster, Mr. Edward Ayden, and another villager. It was Mr. Ayden’s idea that Mrs. Aslett might meet the Princess – accepted after the vicar of Benhall, the Rev. Lionel Trotman, put it to Sir Arthur Penn.
“I am a bit tottery on my feet now but I would not miss a chance of getting outside to greet the Princess,” said Mrs. Aslett as she took a firm grip on the bouquet of irises and pyrethrum.
She wore a woollen shawl but brushed aside all attempts to persuade her to put a coat on, “I never feel the cold” she explained. “I stayed in bed until 3:30 this afternoon. Late for me but they said I mustn’t be excited.”
Princess Margaret congratulated Mrs. Aslett on her age and teaching experience and accepted the bouquet.
Half a mile up the road, at the Sternfield Run, it was youth’s turn to do the honours.
Image: C.N. Allen, Saxmundham. Miss Mary Smith presents Princess Margaret with a bouquet
Sunday service at Sternfield church. Princess Margaret, Rev. Lionel Trotman & Humphrey Scrimgeour
From the Archive (continued)
Just before the Royal car got to the Sternfield ford it stopped beside a roadside decorative garden built two years ago by a villager Mr. Henry Wisby for the visit of the Queen Mother. Standing in the garden was the only child born in the village to reach her teens without leaving it, 17- year-old Miss Mary Smith. She passed into the Princess’ car a bouquet of carnations, roses and lily of the valley.
The following morning Princess Margaret attended Sunday morning service at St. Mary Magdelene Church, Sternfield held by the Rev. L.W. Trotman.
Princess Margaret with Rev. Lionel Trotman being introduced by Catherine Ayden to the Cadet Nursing Division prior to Sunday service.
