THESE hip and happening young band members were treated to a royal visit when Princess Alexandra attended anniversary celebrations near Maidstone in the early Sixties.

The members of The Whirlwinds, a rock group from St Nicholas Youth Fellowship, in Maidstone, chatted to the Princess when she joined the Kent celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the National Association of Mixed Clubs and Girls’ Clubs in Hunton, Maidstone, in July 1961.

This Kent Messenger picture, taken from the book Images of Royal Kent by Cathy Tyce, shows the royal visitor telling the band members how much she enjoyed their rendition of Summer Time and Running Bear.

The group’s line-up was: Michael Stephens on drums; Colin Honey, bass guitar; Joe Bailey on vocals; Dave Carter on rhythm guitar; Chuck J. Ford on lead guitar; and singer Andy Cheesman.

Do you remember The Whirlwinds, or are you one of them? Were you at the event Princess Alexandra attended? Write to The Way We Were, 6 & 7 Middle Row, Maidstone, ME14 1TG, or email messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk