A DURHAM author has had her latest book praised by a very special fan - the Queen Mother.
The Bowes of Streatlam was written by historian Dr Christine Newman. It deals with the Bowes family - a branch of the Bowes-Lyon family to which the Queen Mother belongs - in Tudor times.
The book was published by Durham county historical society, and a copy was sent to Clarence House.
Within a matter of days, the society received a reply from lady-in-waiting Margaret Rhodes, saying the Queen Mother has "such happy memories of spending part of her childhood in Streatlam and Gibside". She wrote that the Queen Mother was most interested to see the book and is "looking forward to having an opportunity to study it properly".
The book might have reminded the Queen Mother of her childhood visits to the family seat in the North-East.
The Bowes came originally from Richmond, and acquired the Streatlam estate in the 14th century. The family name changed to Bowes-Lyon in 1767 when Mary Bowes married the 9th Earl of Strathmore, John Lyon.
l Female patients at Darlington Memorial hospital will be given a carnation to mark the Queen Mother's 100th birthday on August 4. The distribution of the flowers is being organised by the hospital league of friends.
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