Ok, where do I start, I am a retired Lt Col RM and have been visiting Annie at the Queen's Shilling for around 15 years give or take, I must admit that finding out Annie's age was a bit of a shock, she looks and acts a lot younger than her years. I was told earlier this year after meeting one of her daughters and I have to say I would have put her in her 60's not nearly 80. I would recommend to anyone who needs medals mounting, court or otherwise, to commission Anne to do the work, she still hand stitches all the ribbons and medals and is well known within the services for the quality of her work. Anyone who has their fathers or grandfathers medals lying in a drawer at home should visit Anne to get them mounted and displayed as all her work is to the highest standard.
The store itself is like no other. Annie describes it as a tribute or homage to the armed services it goes way beyond that. there are items she has collected from all three services, from down through the centuries, my favourite pieces are regarding Nelsons flagship Victory. Annie's favorite are around turn of the century British Army from South Africa and Pakistan, but especially India. it is also worth asking questions as she has visited a lot of these places for herself and her knowledge is impeccable and immense.
I recently visited Annie around the anniversary of the battle if Trafalgar and as usual Annie's window display was first class. she had even dressed her window with the semaphore flags just as Victory did, England expects etc. Who else knows what these flags mean? I suspect know one in today's RN. This is the attention to detail and the commitment Annie has to her store.
I have heard it mentioned that the store looks a trifle untidy but if you ask Annie it's usually because she's in the middle of moving a display and/or adding other items to one display or another, but ask her about a piece in her collection and she knows exactly where it is and mire importantly why it's there.
The Queen's Shilling does have items for sale, you can purchase regimental ties, wall plaques, cufflinks and tie slides to name a few, you can order new berets and beret badges. I myself purchased a new beret from there myself, my own was looking worse for wear, it was over 25 years old, and one does need to present oneself in good order on parade, even the old cronies like myself!
I have to recommend a visit to the Queen's Shilling whenever you find yourself in Poole in Dorset. you will not be disappointed, you know your regimental tie is looking worn and faded, you could also purchase a rather nice tie slide to compliment you new regimental tie. awhile your at it why nit treat yourself to a pair of regimental cufflinks on become the envy of your compatriots down at the local British Legion.
I going to close my review by saying if you want your medals mounted the correct waythen there is only one person to commission to do the work, Annie I ask only one small favour, please give her as much time as possible to carry out the work, Annie always has a number of commissions on the go at any one time. you can make it easier for her by purchasing new ribbons for your medals, Annie stocks a comprehensive range of medal ribbons, full size and minature, and you all know a new ribbon will make your medals appear outstanding, no faded or frayed ribbons on parade please, it's unsightly, as I said previously, all are hand stitched which as you know is a time consuming and laborious job so the longer you can give before they need completing the better.
I recommend a visit to see Annie and her World whenever you are in the area, Annie is a lovely lady who is always happy to chew the fat and spend some time chatting to old cronies like myself, always with a smile on her face and all too often a needle in one hand a set of soon to be mounted medals in the other. Drop in but please don't be surprised if Annie ends up teaching you a few facts about your regiments history you don't know. read more
