The Queen enjoyed a game of Pooh Sticks at the residence of the famous character Winnie-the-Pooh. Camilla, aged 78 and serving as the patron of the Royal Literary Fund, visited Ashdown Forest, which served as the inspiration for A. A. Milne’s beloved Hundred Acre Wood stories.
This visit commemorates a century since the first Winnie-the-Pooh book was published in 1926, introducing beloved characters such as Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet.
At the iconic bridge from the book, she engaged in a game of ‘Pooh-Sticks’ with three children who emerged as winners of a Winnie-the-Pooh-themed poetry contest organized by Ashdown Forest in collaboration with the Royal Literary Fund.
During her visit, she interacted with Edward Kemp, the Chief Executive of the Royal Literary Fund, as well as renowned children’s authors and illustrators including Dame Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, Jane Riordan, Sita Brahmachari, and Cerrie Burnell, to learn about the initiatives of the Royal Literary Fund.
Before the game, Gyles Brandreth, sporting a Pooh sweater, recited a passage from The House at Pooh Corner, detailing the invention of the game. Utilizing sticks from the Buckingham Palace garden, they played the game, which saw Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler emerge victorious. Camilla expressed initial concern about the water flow but was relieved to find it sufficient for the game to proceed.
She also engaged in friendly competition with three Winnie-the-Pooh poetry winners: Yici Zhang, 10, from High Wycombe; Esme Coulter, 17, from Bath; and Miriam Mason, 70, from Banbury. Camilla commended the winners, jesting about their future fame and her own chances.
Following a surprise victory in a third game against children from St Mary the Virgin school in Hartfield, she expressed her growing proficiency in the game. Esme Coulter shared her excitement about the experience, highlighting the fun and competitive spirit amongst participants.
Additionally, Camilla visited the A. A. Milne & E. H. Shepard Memorial to meet volunteers and staff, where children from Ashdown Primary School lined the route, waving Union Flags. She inaugurated the Queen’s Walk, a weather-proof trail, and partook in a cake-cutting ceremony before delivering a speech expressing her delight at revisiting her childhood memories associated with playing Pooh Sticks.
She acknowledged the universal appeal of Winnie-the-Pooh, predicting an influx of visitors to Ashdown Forest to explore the trail and iconic locations like Piglet’s house. Thanking the hosts for the memorable day, she concluded her speech with gratitude.
