Many of the villages & communities around the Wilton Community Area will be celebrating or marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in some way over the extended bank holiday weekend on 2, 3, 4 & 5 June, with the help of funding from South West Wiltshire Area Board’s Diamond Jubilee & Olympic Torch fund. Plus a huge amount of organisation from local volunteers, as the enormous variety of entertainments & events thoughout our Community Area show.
The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952 & her coronation took place on 2 June 1953. Her Silver Jubilee (25 years) was celebrated in 1977 & her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002. This celebration of 60 years of the Queen’s reign is only the second in the history of Great Britain; the first Diamond Jubilee celebration being during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1897. As the Dinton Village website says: “It is most unlikely that anyone will ever celebrate more than one Diamond Jubilee in their lifetime.”
There are various official events in the UK which the Queen will be attending over the bank holiday weekend, including a Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday 3 June, when up to a thousand boats will muster on the river as The Queen prepares to lead one of the largest flotillas ever seen on the River Thames. On Monday 4 June, thousands of beacons will be lit around the world to commemorate The Queen’s 60 year reign over the UK & as head of the Commonwealth . More information here & on the official Diamond Jubilee website.
Closer to home, local communities will be celebrating in various ways across the Wilton Community Area:
Wilton – There are many events planned over the long bank holiday from Saturday 2nd to Tuesday 5th June. Including a flower festival, variety show, ‘Last night at the proms’ concert & finally, on Tuesday 5th June, a massive street party in the Market Square. 1000 metres of Union Jack flags will be decorating Wilton & children in Wilton will receive a commemorative medallion. Full details are in this Summer Celebrations in Wilton leaflet, which also gives information about the Wilton Community Carnival on Saturday 7th July & the Olympic Torch on Thursday 12th July. Update: Organiser Gary Nunn, has advised: “We are lighting the Christmas Tree after all on Monday 4th June at 10.30pm!” There’s also this detailed timetable for the Jubilee Street Party in Wilton’s Market Square on Tuesday 5th June. Bunting & AA signs will be going up next week…….
Dinton – On Saturday 2nd June there will be a family dance & buffet at the village hall, with a live band & children’s entertainer. Then on Sunday 3rd June, various activities & lunch on the Rec’, including a children’s treasure hunt & fancy dress competition. Full details via this link: Dinton Celebrates the Diamond Jubilee 2012. Dinton have produced celebratory mugs which Dinton children of 12 and under will receive as a gift. (Otherwise the mug is £7.50.)
Bowerchalke – Full details of Bowerchalke’s programme of Jubilee celebrations are here. I’ve also been advised by Clare that: “Our Big Lunch will be held in Knowle Farm barn on the Sunday – the second page gives information on the programme. In addition to the lunch and its programme of entertainments, presentation of Jubilee mugs etc, we are organising a service of celebration in the village hall at 10.30 on the Sunday morning – this will be led by the Revd Kate Rosslyn Smith. On the Monday evening a beacon bonfire will be lit on Marleycombe Hill. We hope that this will be preceded by a bring-your-own picnic, games etc on the village cricket field, but because this is weather-dependent we will confirm the programme at the lunch on Sunday when we know the forecast for Monday.”
Bishopstone – Mike Ash, Bishopstone’s Parish Clerk writes: “The main celebration in Bishopstone is our “Party in the Park” on the recreation field in the village on Saturday 2nd June 5.00pm – 11.30pm. There will be live music from the Party Animalz, a hog roast, disco, inflatable assault course, sumo wrestling, licensed bar, Pimms tent and fireworks. Entry is free. Street parties have been arranged for Sunday and Monday in Flamstone Street, Croucheston and The Croft. We also have a Village Photographs project. A team of photographers will be taking a picture of every house in the village with its occupants over the bank holiday weekend. These will be added to the already extensive village photo archive and be the subject of an exhibition in the autumn.”
Alvediston & Ebbesbourne Wake– The Parish Clerk for Alvediston has advised that there is nothing official planned as Alvediston is a very small village.
Update: Since receiving the above last week, I have spotted this poster in the pub in Ebbesbourne Wake, which gives details of the ‘Alvewake Diamond Jubilee Celebrations’. This would appear to suggest that the communities of Alvediston & Ebbesbourne Wake have now joined forces to celebrate on Monday 4th June (click on the image to view in detail). The event starts with the Church Bells ringing, then a procession from the Church to the Village Hall, where the Jubilee Tea Party & festivities will be officially commence. There will be various games & activities, including a best hat competition & a village photograph, as well as commemorative mugs presented to children.
Stratford Tony – Is described as ‘a very small enclave’, but the Parish Clerk, Desmond Adeley, advises: “On the 24th May we are having a visit by the President of the Churches Conservation Trust, Lloyd Grossman, who will be visiting Stratford Tony Church at 10.00 am, with refreshments at Cawden Cottage afterwards. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Then on Saturday 26th May we are having a concert at 3.00 pm by local musician Mr Tim Madden in the church. The concert will feature Irish Folk, Blues, Americana Style, with a touch of Jazz. There will be a retiring collection to be shared between The Alzheimers Society and the Churches Conservation Trust. Again all are welcome.” I understand Stratford Tony is also involved in part of neighbouring Coombe Bissett’s celebrations.
Quidhampton – There’s a lot going on in Quidhampton & full details are in the May 2012 Quidhampton Village newsletter. Clare Churchill, Parish Clerk, sums up: “On Saturday 2nd June there will be a street party in Lower Road, the road will be closed from 12 noon till 6pm. All houses are eligible to enter the Best Decorated House competition. After a traditional tea there will be a village photo taken and during the afternoon there will be quizzes, games, competitions including a photography competition and a magician. After the Street Party there will be a hog roast and family disco in the village marquee. The Parish Council have purchased mugs for all the children in the village. On Monday 4th there will be a Jubilee Dance on the White Horse Lawn – tickets available from the White Horse.”
Teffont – On Monday 4th June, Teffont has lots of activities planned throughout the day, including a scavenger hunt & picnic, culminating in an evening street party outside the Village Hall. More details on the Teffont Village website. Commemorative Teffont Jubilee mugs will be given free to each child 16 and under. (Additional mugs will be for sale to those over 16.)
Burcombe – The celebrations in Burcombe are being held on Monday 4th June. Parish Clerk, Clare Churchill, advises: “If fine this will be held in the grounds of Burcombe Manor by kind permission of Mr and Mrs N Combes. Mugs will be given to the children and there will be various things happening during the afternoon.” WilCAP member & Parish Councillor, Nigel Lefroy, adds that it will start with a BBQ lunch on the lawn of Burcombe Manor & be followed by a tea party. “Fun and Games for all” are promised!! Full details are apparently on a colour poster behind the door in the butcher’s shop in Burcombe……
Broad Chalke: Will be having a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Street Party on Sunday 3rd June. The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will be screened afterwards at the Village Hall. On Monday 4th June, The Beacon will be lit at 10.15 pm at the Trig Point at the Top of Howgare Road. More information here.
South Newton: Are holding a Service of Celebration on Sunday 3rd June at St Andrew’s Church at 6pm. There will be drinks & a toast to The Queen afterwards. I hear there will also be a Fete & BBQ, which Jimmy Green, WilCAP member & Parish Councillor, or the Parish Clerk, will update on. Update: South Newton’s Parish Clerk, Ali Simons, advises: “This year to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the South Newton Village Hall is holding a joint fete/jubilee celebration on Saturday 14th July 2012 in South Newton’s village hall grounds. There will be various stalls, as usual and a BBQ.” More details will be online here.
Barford St Martin – On Monday 4th June, Barford St Martin will be holding a ‘Diamond Jubilee Party’. From midday there will be a picnic & various entertainments, including ‘Best Dressed Jubilee Dog’, tug-of-war & a childrens’ fancy dress competition. Followed by tea & cakes. For more details, click on the poster or visit the Barford Village website.
Netherhampton – A Street Party will be held on Monday 4th June from 2.30pm for all residents & friends. Netherhampton Parish Council are providing a BBQ to accompany whatever other food is brought along. Various entertainments are planned, including a tug-of-war, penalty shoot out, boutes, apple bobbing, Jubilee quiz & a hunt for the ‘Crown Jewels’. A village photo will also be taken. Click on the poster (to the right) for more details.
There will also be celebration events at Lacock Abbey (National Trust), Old Wardour Castle near Tisbury (English Heritage) & a free, family fun day at Hudson’s Field in Salisbury – a summary of all three is here.
Thank you to everyone who has provided information so far. I’ll post the details of celebrations in other communities around the Wilton Community Area as I receive them. Wishing everyone a fantastic time celebrating.
WilCAP - Wilton Community Area Partnership 