Windsor 2004
Windsor Walk

This report, written soon after the event, has been edited and includes details of Charles and Camilla's wedding which took place the following year.

For the first time ever, Hazle booked a Blue Badge Guided Tour in Central Windsor to coincide with a Signing at stockist Talents. As a new model of the Crooked Tea Rooms was being launched where else could we gather for coffee! Along with the walk, this was free to members of the Collectors' Club.

A real buzz of chattering, happy voices went through the Tea Rooms as the Collectors’ Club took over the entire ground and first floor. We all enjoyed a freshly brewed pot of coffee or tea and biscuits. Have the Tea Rooms ever been this full - or noisy?!

Gathering outside the Tea Rooms for the walk. To the right is The Guildhall, built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1689. He was raised at Windsor Castle where his father was Dean of St George’s Chapel and had a ‘grace and favour’ house. The council didn’t think Wren had built enough columns to support the large first floor chamber so he indignantly added four more - two inches short of the ceiling! The gaps weren’t noticed for years and still prove his original design was sound.

On the left is Queen Charlotte Street, in 'The Guiness Book of Records' as the shortest street in England at 52 feet long.

On 9th April 2005, HRH The Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker Bowles at Windsor Guildhall above in a civil ceremony - an historic first for a member of the Royal Family. To avoid members of the public gate-crashing this private event, the marriage took place in the small Ascot Room, to the side of the Crooked Tea Rooms. The union was later blessed in St George's Chapel - scene of many Royal Weddings.

Our guide with black hair and beard is by the Market Cross. In front is the Crooked Tea Rooms, built as a butcher's in 1718, which leans due to structural changes later. Behind, Caley's Department Store on the High Street was founded in the 1860s by Mrs Caley, a milliner. Close to Ascot Racecourse, Caley's Ascot Hats, an Open Numbered Painting, depicts the store's former speciality. Now owned by the John Lewis Partnership, it still has By Appointment warrants for current members of the Royal Family.

Part of Lower Ward on the 13 acre site of Windsor Castle, reputedly one of Her Majesty's favourite residences. The tourist bus is coming up Thames Street which runs along part of the Castle boundary. Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee statue stands at the bottom of Castle Hill. This picture was taken from a High Street shop where the writer H G Wells was an apprentice draper for just three months. The brief, unhappy period features in several of his novels including Kipps and The History of Mr Polly.

The Raffles building in Curfew Yard is the only old one left. Dated 1625, recently it won a Civic Award for restoration. There was once a secret passage to the Castle. The laxness of royal security has just been in the news, but I think they’ve blocked that one up! As he didn't want to enter the castle, Oliver Cromwell is said to have signed the Execution Warrant here for King Charles 1, beheaded in 1649. A copy of the warrant, with many signatures and seals, is in Church Street.

The rear of Raffles, with collectors making their way back up to Thames Street. Peeping over the background buildings, you can just see the top of the Castle’s Curfew Tower. In medieval times a bell was rung from this to warn people to extinguish their fires. With most houses made of wood, failure to do so could be disastrous. From the C13 Old French cuevrefeu which literally means cover the fire, the word curfew today has broader connotations.

The double leaning buildings of 20 & 21 Thames Street were used the centrepiece of Hazle’s Jubilee Parade. Now painted as the standard Dairy/Barber and specials. The Fudge Kitchen & Coffea here, feature in a Talents Open Numbered Painting.

Hazle hugs a blue post box! This one in Park Street commemorates the first ever airmail between Hendon and Windsor in 1911, to celebrate George V’s coronation. Hazle said that she and Stephen met in Windsor. So had Chris and I. Gosh!

Collectors contemplate the three straight miles and more of the Long Walk. At the far end is a huge statue of George III on horseback. While it was being built the workers used to eat their lunch inside! The 4,800 acres of Windsor Great Park are all that remains of a massive and ancient forest.

A glimpse of the Castle's Upper Ward. The George IV gate, behind the lamp posts, is at the head of the Long Walk. For the wedding of Charles and Camilla, the car carrying the bride and groom and the two coaches with family members made their way to and from the Guildhall via this gate.

Nell Gwynn’s House was Hazle’s first Windsor model and includes the mauvey bit on the far left and half of the brick building. It was primarily painted as The Christmas Shop and The Tea Merchant. The other half has recently become a Chinese Restaurant with a garish sign.

Collectors in Church Street between Talents and Nell Gwynn’s. In the distance is the Henry VIII gate, also part of the Castle’s Lower Ward. The royal St George' Chapel, where the Service of Blessing for Charles and Camilla was conducted, is behind the Henry VIII gate.

Journey’s End and High Noon! Hazle talks about the ceramics before we all crowd into Talents. This now has its own Open Numbered Painting, based on Sally Lunn.