Queen marks Pooh centenary by playing poohsticks

Queen marks Pooh centenary by playing poohsticksImage source, PA MediaImage caption, The Queen played poohsticks with children and authors including Gruffalo author Dame Julia DonaldsonByJames McCarthySouth EastPublished5 hours agoQueen 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."Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth was present in a red Winnie-the-Pooh jumperThe 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.Image source, PAImage caption, Dur...