Pevensey remembers Queen Elizabeth II
21 April 2026 was the Centenary of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday. Pevensey Parish Council marked this day by placing a posy of Lily of the Valley and Forget-me-not flowers on the Memorial at the East Gate of Pevensey Castle.
Lily of the Valley were the late Queen’s favourite flowers and are only available for a short time during the year. Kevin Loveland, our local florist and Head Gardner at St Wilfrid’s Hospice provided the posy from flowers in the garden at the Hospice.
The Memorial was installed following the visit of the late Queen to Pevensey in September 1966, which marked the 900 year anniversary of the arrival of William the Conqueror (Guillaume of Normandy) in 1066. The Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the story of the invasion is being brought to the UK in September where it will be displayed at the British Museum until the Summer of 2027. 2027 is also to be known as the Year of the Normans. Pevensey is marked on the Tapestry by showing Guillaume on his way “Ad Pevensae” , so our parish is an important part of British history. Pevensey Parish Council encourages local businesses and organisations to mark the arrival of the Tapestry for our local residents and for what we hope will be an increased number visitors to the area.
Peter Lowton, Chairman of Pevensey Parish Council, shown in the picture at the Memorial on 21 April, said “ Ad Pevensae, is the Latin meaning “to Pevensey” and the landing of the Normans in our historic village in 1066, is significant for the whole of the UK. It was fitting to remember the late Queen, who was 26 generations later than William, on what would have been her 100th birthday, after a lifetime of dedicated service”