THE chair of a Glasgow charity has told how the Queen's charm and warmth put a group of nervous youngsters at ease during a top-secret visit.
Her Majesty chose the Children's Wood Project in the West End of the city for a visit last June after learning how it had become a haven for kids, beekeepers and budding gardeners.
Chair Alison Spurway told the Glasgow Times how she vividly remembers how HRH's personality and radiance shone through the minute she arrived as she paid tribute to the Queen following her peaceful passing at Balmoral on Thursday.
Alison said: “We found out a few months in advance of the Queen's visit, and that she had personally selected us from a list of possible organisations.
“My first thought was that our premises were a bit rough around the edges, with uneven paths and the like, but she was adamant she was coming along. We were sworn to secrecy and I was told I couldn’t tell the youngsters who was coming to visit.
"One of the boys was hoping it would be a footballer and when the Queen's car pulled up and she got out, he said ‘do I have to courtesy?’
"She began to laugh and said ‘no, not at all’ and immediately put everyone at ease. She had such a lovely manner and was happy to walk around asking lots of questions about the project - and was delighted when the children presented her with a pot of honey."
The Queen was joined by Princess Anne during the visit to the project's base at North Kelvin Meadow, a community open space where green-fingered residents grow produce, local schools hold outdoor lessons and residents without gardens relax.
Alison added: “The Queen was a wonderful ambassador for our country and it was an absolute privilege and joy to meet her.”
A host of other Glasgow charities have also paid their own touching tributes to the late monarch.
Sarika Patel, chair of trustees at Action for Children, said: “We are proud and privileged to have had the Queen as our patron for almost 50 years. She had long been a supporter of our charity and our children’s welfare before she took on the patronage.
“We are so grateful to Her Majesty for her enduring and dedicated support of our work with children, young people and families.
“We send our deep condolences to the Royal Family and our current patron the Duchess of Cambridge.”
The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow’s West End said in a statement: "As an organisation, we are deeply saddened to hear of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth's passing.
“The Queen has been a patron to hundreds of charities and has been admired for raising awareness for so many organisations during her reign. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time.”
Cancer Research UK in Scotland added: “As our patron, the Queen kindly supported us over the years, opening our laboratories and institutes which are an integral part of the charity’s pioneering work in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”
Glasgow Care Foundation also paid a moving tribute.
Their spokesman said: “We would like to express our profound regret and sense of loss at the passing of Her Majesty. She was a constant unwavering presence in this ever-changing world.”
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity chair, Professor Peter Watson, added: “Her Majesty has earned the respect and affection with an unparalleled reign of dignified public service.”
Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: "We share the nation’s sadness at the death of our patron, Her Majesty the Queen, and it’s with heavy hearts that we give thanks for her remarkable service and outstanding contribution to the work of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
“As our patron, the Queen played a leading role in our mission to make sure that there is no life half lived in Scotland. Over the last 70 years, her support of our work has helped hundreds of thousands of families get the support they need to live life after a stroke, chest or heart condition.
“Her Majesty championed volunteering and recognised the incredible impact our volunteers have on the lives of people living in our communities. We were thrilled to be one of 60 recipients awarded the prestigious Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012 - the highest award given to volunteer groups in the UK.
“Her legacy of selflessness and compassion will always live on in our work; she was the embodiment of no life half lived. We will never forget her support and will always be thankful for her commitment to help people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions in Scotland.”
Under a plan codenamed ‘Operation Unicorn’, the Queen’s body will first be moved to her official Scottish residence - the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh - before being taken to London.
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