Here's how North Hampshire villages are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee
Preparations for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June are well under way across North Hampshire towns and villages.
The country will be celebrating the Queen’s 70 years on the throne on the first weekend of June, with festivities beginning on the evening of Thursday, June 2, and lasting until Sunday, June 5.
In Kingsclere, the beacon will be lit at 9.45pm on the Thursday on the downs between White Hill and Watership Down, and on the Friday there will be a duck race at the stream at the foot of Pope’s Hill, as well as a street party at The Crown.
On the Saturday, there will be a 1950s-themed grand parade through the village, beginning at 2pm, and followed by a party at the Fieldgate Centre.
Residents are also invited to have cream tea and exhibition of 1950s life at the village club, watching the parade from the club.
On the Sunday, there is a jubilee service at 10.30am at St Mary’s Church followed by a picnic.
In Baughurst, there will be a flower festival on the Friday at St Stephen’s Church, and on the Saturday there will be a circular walk/run/horse ride from Heath End Hall from 11.30am onwards.
At 2pm there will be a tea party on the hall green, with memorabilia from the Queen’s reign. At 7pm, residents are invited to watch the ‘Party at the Palace’ on the big screen at the hall, which will be bookable in advance.
In Ecchinswell, there will be a party on Saturday from 2pm to 10pm at Ecchinswell Village Hall with a 1950s style dress code. There will be a great Jubilee bake-off competition, Jubilee jive in the evening and a craft a crown competition, and lots of fun and games.
In Burghclere, on Thursday from 10.30am until noon there will be a Jubilee-themed community café at Burghclere church, and on Friday morning a quarter peel is being rung by the Burghclere Bellringers, before an afternoon at the miniature railway, with a royal cake competition, games and crafts.
On Sunday afternoon there will be a street party at the Portal Hall, and a special Songs of Praise with handbells in the evening at Burghclere church.
In East Woodhay, St Martin’s Guild Fete will take place at Stargroves at 2pm on the Friday, and there will be a jubilee party the following day at 6pm, again at Stargroves.
On the Sunday, there is a civic service at St Thomas’ Church at 9.30am, followed by a picnic in the park at the Woolton Hill recreation ground from 12.30pm to 5pm.
In Highclere, there will be a celebration on Glebe Field behind the church at 12.30pm on the Sunday after a church service.
Residents are encouraged to bring their own picnic, with a prize for the best display, and there will be live music with a DJ and band ‘No Strings Attached.’
In Tadley, the event will coincide with the Loddon Valley Lions’ annual Treacle Fair, which will this year be jubilee themed.
This will be held on the Sunday on Saunders Field – next to where Lidl has now started building the new supermarket.
In Pamber Heath, the parish council will be holding a party on June 2 at Pamber Park, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm, including a bar, music, food and a cake-making competition, with the beacon being lit at 9.45pm.
In Silchester, the parish council is organising a beacon lighting outside the Calleva Arms to coincide with the national event at 9.45pm on Thursday. The Calleva Arms will be providing a barbeque.
Silchester Association meanwhile is arranging a ‘Party in the Park’ on Silchester playing fields for the Sunday from 12.30pm, featuring a picnic on the field in front of the sports pavilion.
Residents are invited to bring their own gazebo, tables and chairs, and there will be a fancy dress competition for children and Silchester’s own Jubilee Pudding competition.
There will be a closing session and the National Anthem at 4pm.
Are you holding a Jubilee event? Please let us know or send pictures afterwards by midday on Monday, June 6 to jonathan.ashby@newburynews.co.uk.
If you have memories to share of meetings with the Queen please get in touch too at newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk.
