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Queen marks Pooh centenary by playing poohsticks

James McCarthySouth East
News imagePA Media Queen Camilla, Patron of the Royal Literary Fund, plays a game of 'pooh sticks' on 'Poohsticks Bridge' during a visit to Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, to commemorate 100 years since the publication of the first Winnie-the-Pooh book in 1926. Ashdown Forest was the inspiration for the original Hundred Acre Wood and former home of author, A. A. MilnePA Media
The Queen played poohsticks with children and authors including Gruffalo author Dame Julia Donaldson

Queen Camilla has celebrated 100 years since the first Winnie-the-Pooh books were published by playing poohsticks at the site which inspired Hundred Acre Wood.

This year marks the centenary of AA Milne's books, first published in 1926 and later brought to the screen by Walt Disney.

In her first visit as Royal Literary Fund patron, the Queen spent time in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, earlier.

Arriving in a black Range Rover and sporting a green leaf-patterned dress, she met children's authors and unveiled a trail named Queen's Walk.

Dubbing Pooh a "universal hero" she said it was "very nice to be back in Sussex" and revealed she spent "a lot of time as a child" playing poohsticks.

"Winnie-the-Pooh is a universal hero, people love him and his friends all over the world," she said.

"They'll come pouring in to see this new trail. A lovely experience for all, and especially children."

News imagePA Media Queen Camilla, Patron of the Royal Literary Fund, and Gyles Brandreth (right) play a game of pooh sticks on Poohsticks Bridge during a visit to Ashdown Forest, to commemorate 100 years since the publication of the first Winnie the Pooh book in 1926. Ashdown Forest was the inspiration for the original Hundred Acre Wood and former home of author, A A Milne.PA Media
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth was present in a red Winnie-the-Pooh jumper

The woodland is near the former home of Milne, who was inspired by the forest, after walks through it with son Christopher Robin.

The Queen visited "Poohsticks Bridge" where the pair played poohsticks - in which two or more people drop twigs into the water below from one side of the bridge, before racing to the other to see which twig has won.

The Queen played with children's authors, including the creator of The Gruffalo, Dame Julia Donaldson, its illustrator Axel Scheffler, and official Winnie-the-Pooh sequels writer Jane Riordan.

As they peered over the bridge's edge, the Queen said: "Mine's still going strong."

She did not win.

News imagePA Queen Camilla, Patron of the Royal Literary Fund, speaks with local school children during a visit to Ashdown Forest near Hartfield, East Sussex, to commemorate 100 years since the publication of the first Winnie the Pooh book in 1926. Ashdown Forest was the inspiration for the original Hundred Acre Wood and former home of author, A A MilnePA
During the visit the Queen chatted with local children

Esme Coulter, 17, who came joint third playing poohsticks with the Queen after winning a poetry competition, said: "It's been amazing, definitely not something I ever would have expected from winning a poetry competition."

Dame Julia said she had been to Ashdown Forest before but could not play poohsticks then because the waterway was blocked.

She added it was "great" the Queen was a fan of reading.

The Queen also met local children and Ashdown Forest staff and volunteers as she opened the walking trail at a memorial site dedicated to Milne and Winnie-the-Pooh original illustrator EH Shepard.

The site is located at The Enchanted Place where Christopher Robin says goodbye to the animals in the books.

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