Roxane Gilmore, Virginia's First Lady, Comes to Town
On Saturday October 1st. 2000, First Lady of Virginia, Roxane Gilmore, Wife of Virginia's Governor James Gilmore 111, paid a flying visit to East London, as the elected Honorary co-chair of the 'Jamestown2007' Committee. she was accompanied by America's top selling author, Patricia Cornwell and her ex husband and business Manager Charlie, they came with Virginia's famous APVA archaeological team led by Dr Bill Kelso, his wife, and Jeanne Bailles a former First Lady, all were determined to see Blackwall at low-tide and visit the newly restored First Settlers Monument at 'Virginia Quay'.
* (Please note a new Virginia Governor is now in office).
Low tide meant an early start for everyone but any jet-lag didn't show on these intrepid visitors whose visit to East London had been arranged at short notice, nevertheless Rosemary Taylor, Ian Sharpe, Sister Christine, and David Clark turned up early to welcome the visitors who had flown especially from Virginia the previous day for a long weekend of research in Docklands.
First Lady Roxane works with Dr. Kelso's APVA team in Virginia, as she herself is an experienced archaeologist, the group were also to visit the Museum in Docklands
'LEA Heritage Group' (re-discovering history) had helped to provide an adequate tour for our notable visitors on their first visit to Docklands, on this second visit we didn't need to provide transport from 'Tour East' as we had done previosly as our visitors arrived in their own Limousines this time.
Environment Campaigner Ian Sharpe praised his group of colleagues for having attended at such a short notice, "our visitors recognise the important role of voluntary community work in helping to preserve significant local heritage sites like the first settlers monument, we are delighted that they chose our Group to show them around Blackwall."
The visiting entourage toured Blackwall visiting the newly restored First settlers Monument, "this visit helps us to better understand Britain's role in history" said the Chair, thanking David Clark, Mary Mills, and Sister Christine Frost of 'SPLASH' for their support, and especially Rosemary Taylor "who is not only an accomplished historian and author, but also a highly experienced Tour Guide, she has written significant books on local East End history".
The local Pub in Coldharbour Lane became the venue for well earned refreshment, the atmosphere there provided an informal and very friendly setting for a chat with our visitors, David Clark, Secretary of 'LEA Heritage' Community Group invited everyone to his nearby home in Coldharbour for a nice 'cuppa' Tea and refreshments, then, after a cordial and most friendly visit, our visitors were on their way.
The First Settlers Monument, Blackwall
Please note Patricia Cornwell, America's famous authoress, has since written a novel about Blackwall)
