The 'Our Coronation Story' exhibition officially opened at Enniskillen Castle Museum yesterday (Wednesday).

Earlier this week, volunteers and museum staff helped set up the exhibition which had been curated by the local community to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The eclectic exhibition showcases souvenirs and memories from local people as well as unique garments from those who attended and participated in the Coronation Ceremony in 1953.

These garments include two original outfits worn at the Queen’s coronation by a maid of honour and a page, which were rediscovered from careful storage by their respective families.

A gown worn by Lady Moyra Campbell as well as an ensemble worn by Lord Erne at the ceremony in 1953 are currently on display at Enniskillen Castle.

Also on display is the dress, coat and hat worn by Her Majesty when she visited Enniskillen in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee.

Created especially for the exhibition, talented knitter Wendy Scott used her skills to knit a doll version of The Queen wearing the Wedgewood outfit currently on display.

"It was a privilege and an honor to be asked to knit this 'Queen doll' for the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations to be held in my hometown of Enniskillen," said Wendy, who took up knitting again while she was shielding for 18 months during the pandemic due to an underlying health condition.

"I took up knitting inspired by my now 92 year old mother-in-law who knitted Aran hats for all her grandchildren," she said.

Talking about how knitting has helped keep her "brain active" over the last few years as she dealt with Covid and other health issues, which put a halt to her previously active lifestyle, Wendy said: "In July 2021 I was hospitalised with Covid and then a few months later [I was again hospitalised] with blood clots in my lung.

"I still struggle with breathlessness, walking and fatigue. Some days I find it hard to get out of bed and get dressed. Going from a very active person to how I am now completely changed my life and this is when I took up knitting again."

"I have to thank my mum Jessie Patterson who taught me how to knit and sew all those years ago. She was a fantastic knitter, knitting for local wool shops both by hand and machine. I used to wind the wool for her on the wool winder which I have now inherited."

When Wendy first saw the Jubilee Queen doll, she sent away for the knitting pattern.

"I have now completed eight Queen dolls, all of which have gone to charities or local schools for fundraising. I have thoroughly enjoyed knitting them and each one is unique even though I use the same pattern.

"I have to say my favourite one of all was knitting 'The Queen' for these special Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. The challenging part was finding lace to the scale of the dress so I ended up getting small paper flowers and sticking them on. I have a few more 'Queens' to knit.

"I have to say they are a bit addictive but after each one I feel I have accomplished something," said Wendy.

Wendy's Queen doll and the unique garments are now available to view as part of the 'Our Coronation Story' exhibition which is running from June 2 to 12 from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and from 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission to the exhibition is free but booking is essential at www.enniskillencastle.co.uk.