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A Message from Professor Russell Deacon

Professor Russell Deacon, Lecturer at the University of South Wales and Lecturer in History, Government and Politics at Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, shared his comments in an article saying goodbye to the second Elizabethan age:

“We now have to say goodbye to the second Elizabethan age!”

“For the last seven decades there has been a constant in all of our lives that seemed to be unchanging, always there and despite our various national troubles and traumas a figure of reassurance 鈥� that figure was the late Queen Elizabeth II. From the date that her father died, 6th February 1952, we have had a constant reminder of our monarch, when we pay for goods, through her portrait on the coins and notes, sending a letter through seeing her face upon our stamps听 and even through paying our taxes through Her Majesty鈥檚 Revenue and Customs. Her majesty has always been there through thick and thin.听

The former Queen was born a princess but she was not born to be the Queen. That path only became more of a certainty after the abdication of her uncle the uncrowned Edward VII in 1936. In the direction she then found herself there was barely time to start her own adult life before being thrust upon the throne, after the early death of her own father George VI at the age of just 56. Since that date she has persistently been our island鈥檚 most popular political figure, even or perhaps because of the fact she has never given an interview or rarely given an opinion as to what she agrees or disagrees with. At the same time she has created a royal dynasty part of which is the Prince of Wales who is now our new monarch Charles III is part.听听

For an historian like myself, it is interesting to note that when Queen Elizabeth II came to power it was heralded as the New Elizabethan age and it has certainly been one of unapparelled change. A student or lecturer studying at our predecessor colleges, that make up the current Coleg Gwent in 1952, could never have dreamed how the world of learning would be transformed in this new queen鈥檚 reign. Technology and the opportunity for learning and advancement have literally transformed the lives of millions within Gwent during this period. They moved into areas of employment and study that their ancestors would never have been able to access, and which were often reserved for the privileged and elite. For us and them, the late Queen鈥檚 reign has been one of opportunity to live what for previous generations were merely distant dreams.听

Both the late Queen and the new King have been frequent visitors to the sites, villages, towns and cities served by our own campuses, and many of those that study or work within them have seen, met or even had a quiet word with them. For them and for you there may be a special memory that you may wish to treasure or share with others in this time of national mourning. So as we advance into a new reign and new era, take some time to recall some of the more positive things that have happened and occurred to you and your family, and what it was like to have been a New Elizabethan.”听 听