The Ralston Military Wives Choir ring in the festivities for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee (Photo Courtesy Gates Guarin/CHATNewsToday)

By Gates Guarin

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee a celebration of community spirit in rural Alberta

Jun 5, 2022 | 4:56 PM

RALSTON, AB – The cloudy, damp conditions didn’t stop those in the community of Ralston from ringing in the 70th year of the Queen’s rule, even though many event goers say the weather was flown in all the way from the United Kingdom.

A celebration to honour Queen Elizabeth’s reign as British Monarch was held in the heart of the Crown Village, with local vendors from Medicine Hat and Brooks sponsoring events and activities for the entire family.

Lt.-Col. Mark Jenkins took in the festivities on behalf of the British Army Training Unit based out of Suffield. Jenkins says having an event honouring the Queen all the way in rural Alberta helps keep everyone connected to what is happening overseas.

“It’s about us being part of what’s happening back in the U.K.,” Jenkins says. “Although we’re different time lines, etc., it’s so important for us to come together as a community.”

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Jenkins has been following the coverage of the Queen’s Jubilee on TV, and says watching the celebrations has been quite the sight to take in.

“The planes, the concerts, the Troop in the Colour, it’s just great to be part of that,” Jenkins says. “It puts hairs on the back of your neck.”

The jubilee celebration had plenty of things for people of all ages to do, from food trucks to axe throwing.

Maj. Morgan Ross, one of the organizers of the event says the community has been looking for something which brings everyone closer together in a positive way. Ross says it also gives an opportunity for the BATUS unit to reach out to the community and give back.

“There’s been that suggestion that we’re not here anymore, and we’re absolutely here,” Ross says. “Being in a position where we can run events for the local community as well, but then actually push the broader message that BATUS is still very much here.”

Ross says he is grateful events like this one can come together after a global pandemic.

“To actually see [the community] getting together, to see the wives’ choir get involved as much as they have, to see the kids get involved in it as well, it’s been really heartwarming to know that people want to get involved in these things.” Ross says.

Rhoda Kirkpatrick is one of the wives in the Ralston military wive’s choir and has been living with her spouse in Ralston for a year. Kirkpatrick is also heavily involved in the community, and says she is proud to be able to show off her heritage to the surrounding community.

“We love to show off our culture to everyone,” Kirkpatrick says. “To be able to involve everyone at CFB Suffield, to involve the local communities, just to show what it means to us being English and being proud. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world: you can take the people out of the U.K., but you can’t take the U.K. out of the people.”