A WELL known Isle of Wight figure in the community sector and in local politics touched by the death of the Queen — Richard Priest — has fond memories of meeting our special monarch as a man and seeing her as a boy.

Other than the birth of his son, Adam, and his marriage to Jane, there were no prouder moments for Richard, 62, than when he was named on the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2010 — and then receiving the OBE, for services to the community in March that year from Her Majesty, at Buckingham Palace. 

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It was made all the sweeter with Jane and Adam, aged 17 at the time, accompanying him.

At that time, Richard was the manager of the Riverside Centre in Newport.

He has also served as the mayor of Shanklin and on the town council for many years, has served on the Isle of Wight Council and now serves Sandown Town Council, as its clerk.

Richard, a major figure in voluntary community life as a long-serving trustee of Shanklin Youth Club, has, like so many on the Island, found the Queen's passing a bitter pill to swallow. She had, of course, been the country's monarch all of Richard's life.

Isle of Wight County Press: Richard Priest receiving the OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2010.Richard Priest receiving the OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2010. (Image: Richard Priest)

As a little boy, aged five, when he attended St John's Primary School in Sandown, his first experience of seeing the Queen was while sitting on the steps opposite Sandown Pier.

This was in 1965, during the Queen's first official visit to the Isle of Wight as our sovereign, on the occasion of the installation of Earl Mountbatten as governor of the Island.

Isle of Wight County Press: Richard Priest at Shanklin Cliff Lift, where the Queen had visited and used in 1965.Richard Priest at Shanklin Cliff Lift, where the Queen had visited and used in 1965. (Image: Newsquest)

Richard said: "I've been very lucky, with my family, to have met the Queen on a couple of occasions — both when she came to the Island and when I was fortunate to receive my OBE in 2010.

"I have very fond memories of the Queen — at Sandown Pier as a youngster. I was one of the lucky pupils sat on the steps opposite the pier in Pier Street.

Isle of Wight County Press: Pupils of St John's Primary School, Sandown, sat on the steps opposite Sandown Pier, for the Queen's visit to the town in 1965. Richard was one of the pupils.Pupils of St John's Primary School, Sandown, sat on the steps opposite Sandown Pier, for the Queen's visit to the town in 1965. Richard was one of the pupils. (Image: Newsquest)

"It was a tremendous occasion for the town, with so much going on and big crowds waving flags.

"I'm sure the town is now very sad at the passing of the Queen. She touched so many people's lives.

"My other great memory was the privilege of receiving the OBE. It was a tremendous moment and I have such fond recollections of it.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Queen welcomed at Shanklin Cliff Lift in 1965.The Queen welcomed at Shanklin Cliff Lift in 1965. (Image: Pathe News)

"The Queen was so special. She spoke so commendably about the Island and her visits to it.

"She also touched so many with the Queen's Award. Shanklin Youth Club and the Riverside Centre received it for voluntary service — recognising the contributions made by so many people.

"Her passing is very sad for us all."