BACK in 2012, hundreds of well-wishers across Dorset turned out to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

One reader, Esmee Nicholls, has shared with us a photo of the celebratory flotilla which sailed along the River Thames in London, and to which Esmee had a very special connection. Her son, Craig Nicholls, had been working as a scientist in Antarctica with British Antarctic Surveys, and had recently completed a sculpturing course. As luck would have it, Craig ended up designing part of one of the boats used in the Royal flotilla, pictured, whose journey along the river was watched by the Queen.

Back in Dorset, the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Margaret Leicester, and commodore of The Royal Dorset Yacht Club, Graham Castell, took the salute outside Custom House Quay. Almost 70 street parties took place around the county to mark the Queen's 60th year on the throne, with Swanage hosting entertainments including a jubilee tea for 600 people on the town's high street.

In Dorchester, 170 Union Jacks flew from newly installed flagpoles in Dorchester, which stayed in place for the duration of the Olympic Games that summer.

Queen Elizabeth II took to the throne in 1952 and her Diamond Jubilee was only the second celebrated by a monarch in British history. Queen Victoria had celebrated hers in 1897.

With thanks to Esmee for this lovely photograph and the information about her talented son.