Letter from the Palace – 20 years early!

IDA Wood is such a “pillar of the community” in Culcheth that on her 80th birthday, friends tried to arrange a special surprise – a card from the Queen 20 years too soon!
They didn’t succeed – Her Majesty gets so many requests that she has to stick to her rule of a birthday card for centenarians only.
But they got the next best thing – a letter from Buckingham Palace.
Ann Duberry wrote to the Queen telling her all about Ida’s community activities.
She wrote: “Ida truly is a ‘pillar of the community.’ Over the last three years she has had two hip replacement operations, been diagnosed with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, has suffered a severe reaction to penicillin and has had numerous chest infections.
“And yet she carries on running classes at the Age Concern Centre. She runs three keep fit classes and two line dancing classes each week.
“Ida takes no payment for any of this and even pays her own class fee!
“She organises trips to the theatre and numerous days out. She is a lifeline for most of the members, the majority being widowed senior citizens.
“She arranged a Diamond Jubilee celebration, providing a party for 56 club members.”
Mrs Duberry added that Ida was probably one of the biggest fans of the Royal family and was “thoroughly taken with William and Kate.”
The Palace reply came from lady-in-waiting Susan Hussey, who explained that because of the number of similar requests, the Queen was only able to send congratulations to people celebrating their 100th birthday or Diamond Wedding.
She added: “Her Majesty was, however, most interested to hear of the valuable role played by Mrs Wood in the local community and of her tremendous voluntary work at the Age Concern Centre in Culcheth.”
The Queen was also touched to hear of Ida’s loyal support and hoped she would enjoy her birthday celebrations.