Thousands turn out for Kingsclere jubilee parade as racehorse leads the way
What must have been the entire village of Kingsclere lined its streets on Saturday as the village held a special jubilee parade.
Beginning at the Holding Field, the parade made its way along George Street past the village club, being waved along by throngs of cheering villagers.
It then passed the 19th century Victorian street lamp on the corner of Swan Street – which was lit for the first time in years over the weekend – before winding its way down Popes Hill towards the Fieldgate Centre, where the parade culminated.
Along the parade route was almost half-a-kilometre of home-made bunting, which had been created from recycled material, organised by councillor Nicki Peach.
The parade was led by prize-winning racehorse Side Glance – ridden by the stepdaughter of his owner, Leanne White.
In a nod to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, twelve-year-old Jemima White was permitted to wear the Queen’s racing colours of a purple body with gold braid, scarlet sleeves and a black velvet cap with gold fringe.
Jemima said “Sidey” had been “an absolute angel” and said that walking through the main part of the village had been her favourite part.
“Sidey” was followed by several village organisations, including the Royal British Legion, 1st Kingsclere Rainbows and 3rd Kingsclere Brownies, Kingsclere Scout Group, Pamela Kitch and family with 1950s prams, theatre group Kingsclere Players and music group Kingsclere Singers.
There was then a huge party at the Fieldgate Centre, featuring an indoor bouncy castle, bucking bronco, bar, burger and coffee stalls, with the crowds entertained by music from The Only Band in the Village and Phantom Booth.
There were also awards for the best 1950s costume, while there was also an award for parish council chairman John Sawyer who is stepping down (see next week’s NWN for more).
Andy Bates, the chairman of trustees for the Kingsclere Community Association, which manages the Fieldgate Centre, said they were “amazed” by the turnout.
He said: “We were worried about the weather and whether people would participate, but we were worried for nothing.
“It’s double the number of people we were expecting.
“We’re glad that we could work with the parish council to pull the community together.”
The new parish council chairman Clive Mussett said: “I thought the parade was a great turnout, and it’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves after a difficult two years and really coming together as a village and a community.”
