The day started cloudy and wet, but hopes were high. Gradually volunteers started arriving to prepare for the day with decorations, strawberries and cream, tea, coffee and plenty of delicious homemade cakes, courtesy of the WI.
Our newly erected flagpole was proudly flying the Union Jack and the Queens Jubilee Memorial flags, which rather sadly did not flutter in the breeze because there was no breeze. But they were there!
Refreshments vans arrived and food, soft drinks, beer and wine were on sale throughout the day courtesy of Brew Board.
No 35 Cambridge provided us with delicious burgers, wraps and chips all day. We also had a Pimms tent and ice cream.
The strawberries were only picked hours before the event, by Bury Farm at Royston – and they were perfectly sweet and juicy.
The disco arrived and the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Harston Recreation Ground started at 1pm. Still wet, still cloudy, but people started arriving bringing picnic tables and umbrellas, ready to enjoy the day.
We were treated to a lovely performance from Harston and Newton Village School Choir, which the children took very seriously and it was enjoyed by all.
The Choir was followed by the Junior Prime Brass Band. Then we were treated to upbeat entertainment from Simply Reed Saxaphone Quartet. In between, we had music by disco provided by DJ Soundbig.
Ongoing throughout the day, was the exhibition in the Tea Tent and a childrens’ art exhibition. The winners of the art exhibition were announced by the Parish Council Chairman and the children received their prizes.
The winners were:
Age 3-5: Freya Fisher, Matthew Morris
Age 6-7: Alice Gouveia de Oliveira, Erin Phillips, Madeleine Odell
Age 8-9: Noa Duckworth, Sophie Crissall-Gore, Seven Belle Dishaw
Age 10 – 12: Sophie Christmas, Cam Dishaw, Alice Butcher
There was a plethora of children’s games ongoing throughout the day including Beat the Goalie, a badminton game, an Orchard Quiz, a Scavenger Hunt – for which prizes were given.
The ladies in the Tea Tent put in a sterling performance keeping everyone provided with complementary refreshments, including tea, coffee, cakes, strawberries and cream (some coming back for seconds!).
Jubilee mugs were on sale throughout the day, with profit proceeds being donated to the Ukraine appeal.
Donations were also received in the Tea Tent totalling £358.58, and Brew Board and No 35 Cambridge also donated £40 towards the Ukraine appeal.
And then the day was done. It ended just as cloudy and wet as it started, but people started packing up and going home and, hopefully, everyone had a lovely time and made some memories to cherish.
TO HER MAJESTY ON HER PLATINUM JUBILEE JUNE 2022. GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS QUEEN.
