LOCAL history groups and the over-55s were treated to a rare treat on Friday: a glass (or two!) of bubbly and a film about the day the Queen opened a popular community centre 40 years ago.

Among the guests at St Luke’s in Central Street – near Old Street – was former Mayor of Islington Joe Trotter, who had been there for the royal visit on day one.

The former Liberal Democrat councillor recently stepped down from the centre’s board of trustees after 30 years’ service.

Remembering the Queen’s visit, he said: “I came in the morning to get ready and the police were coming around with dogs and sniffers. She ended up having tea on the second floor with the great and the good of that time, but I had to walk around in front of her to keep the press at a special length.”

Mr Trotter added: “The honourable artillery company – the band – was on top of the Finsbury Leisure Centre playing all the music and the Queen went out on the balcony to acknowledge them.”

Michael Ryan, the current CEO at St Luke’s, presented guests at the centre with some artefacts from that time including photos of the Queen at the building, the programme from that day and the visitors’ book – signed by the monarch.

He said: “It was an absolutely wonderful brilliant occasion and we’re so happy that we have the video as well. “It’s such an important event for us to celebrate today and I think we’re very, very lucky to be at such a fantastic centre that was opened by the Queen.”

Cathy Carpenter, deputy director of services at the centre, was on hand to serve drinks, cake and sandwiches to those gathered for the screening of the video.

She explained that while the community centre is just 40 years old, St Luke’s Trust has been around for half a millennium. A series of historic legacies were left more than 500 years ago to the people of St Luke’s parish – now the EC1 area – and were later combined.

She said: “Our needs have changed in the area. So whereas it used to just be for over-55s, in 2019 we had an all-age approach and since then we’ve been working with families, children and doing more for younger people. Needs change and you need to be relevant to the people of the area.”

Footage of the Queen’s opening visit is available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=E4xtlPPXNlA