A decade ago Stoke woman Shirley Miles put her London heritage to the best use she could think of and is now just $8000 short of her goal to raise $100,000 for the Nelson Hospice.
As the Pearly Queen, Shirley has collected $92,000 for the Nelson Hospice, attending the Saturday market and other events all over the region. But with failing health Shirley isn’t sure she will be able to continue another year and is hoping for a big community push to help her reach her goal for the hospice. This Saturday, to say thanks and to try to help her reach her goal, a local BNI group will be helping her collect at the market and the hospice is presenting her with a Höglund Glass crystal.
To be a Pearly Queen you have to have been born in London with one hundred years of London ancestry and with the agreement of fellow Londoners. It was the week before Christmas in 2002 when Shirley decided to use her heritage and collect donations for the Nelson Hospice as the Pearly Queen.
Her outfit has evolved since then and features images significant to Nelson, including waves, anchors, grapes, fishing nets with fish and a large scallop shell, a pine tree, the Nelson Cathedral and Shirley’s Civic Award badge for community service. Her white ostrich plumes in the hat are traditional.
Shirley says she is determined to try to reach her goal but it is increasingly difficult. “I have to keep going as long as I can to help keep it in the public eye. I hope that when I retire the costume will be in the Nelson Museum to continue to remind people of the need to support the hospice.”
