Our village is small, but the village green is large; it is tucked away from sight, right in the middle of the triangle of roads which form the village. Houses back on to it and encircle it, which is slightly different to most village greens where houses look out on to the green.
In the centre of the green is a small pavillion around which families and friends gathered. Tables and chairs were brought from the village hall and, despite the cold wind and the threatening rain picnic food was shared and enjoyed...washed down by the odd jug or two of Pimms.
I wore patriotic red, white, and blue clothing and I was pleased to see that quite a number of other people did too. Check out these patriotic shoes worn by Annie!
The green was festooned with lots of bunting and there was a real celebratory air as food was shared and friends caught up with one another.
We were fortunate because we only had one short spell of rain - there was a flurry of activity as food was wrapped and tables cleared, coats were hastily pulled on and we prepared to make the 200 yard dash to the village hall....but it proved unnecessary. The sun broke through and the games began!
There were Egg and Spoon races, Wheelbarrow Races (with one person being the wheelbarrow, the other 'pushing'), Boules, Gymnastics Displays, games of Rounders...
everyone participated in some way; we were forced into it by Annie..she did a brilliant job and really got the party going.
There were special Jubilee mugs for the children and hand knitted celebratory teddy bears, which were so cute we all wanted one.
This is the beacon on the green, it is used on special occasions. It may have been lit last night, I don't honestly know because by that time I had moved on to another party.....
It was held here, at a beautiful cottage which has the most wonderful English country cottage gardens, with superb views across the meadows and the dovecote, and food it was well worth giving up the diet for.
I'll post about this party later, once I sort through the photographs.
I hope Her Majesty has had as much fun as we, her subjects, have enjoyed.
What a nice celebration and you all come together. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Elna
Hello Elna,
DeleteThank you, it was a wonderful celebration.
It looks like so much fun and I can't wait to see more garden photos. That last photo is a delectable teaser!
ReplyDeleteHello Mitch, The whole day was fun, but the garden is very special indeed, I think you'll like it. I ended up with a serious case of lupin-envy.
DeleteSounds like you had a grand afternoon! Three cheers for the Queen!
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny, It was a really fun afternoon - typically English weather, but we enjoyed it anyway. The Queen has done a wonderful job - I don't know how she has managed to keep up the pace of days of celebrations. I'm whacked!
DeleteHello Elaine...I was wondering if you got to ride in the wheelbarrow, or did George have you push him? Looks like a wonderful celebration....I have been following the Jubilee on the news.
ReplyDeleteHello Meggie, We sat that particular race out...now 20 years ago we may have had a go! It was all very simple fun, but it was a lovely to bring the various sections of the community together, who otherwise wouldn't meet. I wish you could have been there!
DeleteWhat a wonderful, festive day!
ReplyDeleteHello In My Wild Eden, It was great fun although by the end of it we were a bit windswept! It was lovely to see people enjoying themselves.
DeleteHi Elaine,
ReplyDeleteThe weather seems to have been kinder to you than here this weekend...
Lots, and lots of rain here in South Wales...
Still, spirits were good!
Hello Green Dragonette, Sorry to hear you had some really bad weather. We had lots of rain, but it was mainly dry when it mattered. The great thing is that we all soldier on and then laugh about it later....we have no choice in our climate!
Deletewell done that village! x
ReplyDeleteHello John, People work so hard to put these events together, it's great to be able to support them in any way possible. It was enjoyed by those who attended!
DeleteHello Elaine:
ReplyDeleteWhat great fun all of this sounds to have been and we are so pleased that the rain held off. So much time and effort goes into this kind of thing that it would have been such a pity had the events been cancelled because of wet weather. And to go on to another party sound to us to be rather good!
Hello Jane and Lance, It really was enormous fun. I had all my cake tins and tubs lined up and labelled so that we took the correct ones to each event. The village event was enjoyed by young and old - the youngest being 4 months the oldest ones a little over 80 years and the whole range in between!
DeleteGood morning Elaine,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful celebration and as always, I wish I was there to experience, however, through your photos, I felt I have. It must be so exciting in the UK with the Jubilee and then, next month the Olympics! I need to step up my baking to keep up;-D
Love you, Susan
Hello Susan, Your chocolate chip cookies went down a treat, so in effect you were there. I have to print out the recipe soon, so many friends asked for it. It was all just very simple fun and games, good food and lots of laughter. Even the short shower of rain didn't dampen things for long!
DeleteWhat a lovely village green. It all looks like great fun. There was very little evidence of the Jubilee where I live -just a few houses decked out with flags. KL went into town on Saturday and said there was very little evidence of it there either. I can't wait to see more of the garden - we plan on changing the front into a cottage garden so the photos will give me some inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Scarlet, That is a shame - it was fun to try to build up happy memories for people and part of that was dressing the green and flying bunting and flags. Perhaps they had gatherings elsewhere. Judging by what you have done with the back garden your front will be superb anyway!
ReplyDelete