John Gibson: This one was a tall order for the Colonel

Published on Thursday 9 July 2009 09:15

BRANCHES everywhere. Long-time illustrious producer of the Tattoo Brigadier Mel Jameson returned to his native Perthshire on relinquishing the job.

But he can't tear himself away from Edinburgh.

He was back in town at Redford Barracks on Armed Forces Day for a high-profile event featuring the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards who are based there – a visit by the Queen.

Colonel of the Regiment, Mel presented Her Majesty with a Wellingtonia, a tree indigenous to California for thousands of years.

"They're named after the Duke of Wellington and they were brought here around 1850 by a Scot who discovered them there.

"We've had this specific one, destined to grow to well over 200 feet, delivered to Holyrood for onward transport south.

"A memento of her visit, a token of our appreciation of the support the Dragoon Guards get from the Royal Family.

"And to have the Queen call at Redford was the perfect morale booster," he adds.

"It was a huge regimental party, a family affair that involved the soldiers' wives, partners, girlfriends, as well as a tribute to the regiment who were back from Iraq and Afghanistan before they return to their base in Germany."

A Princely sum

I'd never heard of him either. Christopher Lloyd's claim to fame is that, at 64, he has just shared his birthday with superlative songstress Lena Horne. Lena, bless her, was 92.

What got Lloyd on the Times birthday list was that he was Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures (capitals, if you please) 1983-2005.

I'd have gladly had a butchers at Queenie's pics if that's all it took to get me on the birthday list. She can survey my collection of photies any time she's in town.

By the way, even the Duke of Edinburgh has told me he thinks we were lucky to get 3 million for Fletcher.

While we've strayed into football, influential diehard Hibby Willie McEwan's been talking about luring the truly legendary winger Tom Finney to Easter Road on August 1 for the friendly with Preston North End, his old club.

Sir Tom and Lawrie Reilly are pals from way back.