A RANGE of special activities have been organised by the Army in York to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Queen Mother on Friday.

Dubbed "York's biggest birthday party" many of the events may feature on BBC Television, as part of its countrywide coverage of the special day.

Activities start at 10.30am when The King's Division Waterloo Band from Catterick will play at the west front of York Minster adjacent to Duncome Place. This is followed by a specially-composed fanfare written by the band's director of music, Captain Wayne Hopla.

York Minster's six new chiming bells, which were installed in honour of the Queen Mother and cast at the John Taylor Bell Foundry, will also ring out for the first time.

The Dean of York will then conduct a short service at the west front of the Minster before the Waterloo band heads a procession led by the Lord Mayor, Coun Shan Braund to the Museum Gardens.

At noon the gardens will echo with the sound of a 21-gun Royal Salute which will be fired by the Seringapatam Battery from 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery, based at Topcliffe.

The Lord Mayor, accompanied by Brigadier Andrew Farquhar, Commander York Garrison, will take the salute and inspect the firing party and band.

A full afternoon of entertainment will then take place staged by the Waterloo Band, the York Area Schools Senior Concert band and the Stage Coach Drama Group.

Organiser Major David Robertson said: "We hope that the citizens of York will come along and join us for the full programme of events in the Museum Gardens. We'll be singing Happy Birthday which will probably be televised. It's going to be great fun"

Meanwhile, Brownies from York have sent a special birthday greeting to the Queen Mother which they hope will be given pride of place on her mantelpiece.

The 24 members of the 1st Rawcliffe (St Mark's) Brownies spent three weeks making the special card, which measures 34 inches by 24 inches and cost £4.13 to send by parcel post.

Gill Cook, assistant guider, said: "They all think she's wonderful because their grannies aren't anything like that old. They're thrilled to bits and they're all going to watch the celebrations on TV on her birthday."

Are you doing anything special to celebrate the Queen Mother's 100th birthday? If so contact the Evening Press newsdesk on 01904 653051. We want to know about any parties, celebrations and activities you're laying on to make the big day very special.

matthew.woodcock@ycp.co.uk

PICTURE: BROWNIE ENVELOPE: Posting their giant birthday card for the Queen Mother are 1st Rawcliffe (St Marks) Brownies, back row, from left, Sophie Barker, Lucy Fisher, Emma Brown, Rachel Jones and Heather Galloway. Front row, from left, Sophie Glasby, Nicola Eddom and Laura Brookshaw

Picture: Mike Tipping