Jubilee Party, 2022
On the 4th of July 2022, we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – 70 years on the throne. We had a street party. Clarence Road was closed off, there were no cars, and we dined down the middle of the road.
It was a fine day. The weather threatened to be rainy and there was some rain early morning, but then the sun came out and it was a fine day for the party – and no planes either.
Bunting was laid down the street, tables were laid down the centre – we brought out the table from the garage – and everyone prepared food.
Ian, working hard to get the tables ready
Delicious food was prepared and laid out on the central table – everyone competed to see who could bring the most tasty food
And then we feasted. Jonathan and friend dined in high style, enjoying the food
Deep conversations took place while enjoying the meal in the middle of the road
And then it was time for pudding! Here is the champion cake, in the form, of a Union Jack. It did not survive long. Adjacent to it were the strawberries – specially for me, as the only food allowed for diabetics
Photographing the cakes – a record for posterity.
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John, in full flood of discussion
Fiona has captured a dog and is giving it her full treatment. She was very happy – and the children enjoyed the dog too.
Finally, the food was eaten, and it was time to relax, sitting on the wall and just talking.
It’s been a lovely afternoon and a wonderful way of celebrating the Queen who has reigned for almost as long as many of us have lived. Only the previous day we celebrated our wedding anniversary by going out for a meal and we realised that our marriage at a mere 56 years long is nowhere near as long as the Queen has reigned.
I read recently an article asking how much the celebrations cost. Well in our case, the answer is nothing – at least as far as the state is concerned. We paid for it ourselves: we all chipped in £5 which paid for the cost of closing the road (which we had to pay for) and for the bunting, but that’s about all. We provided the food, the tables, the coverings, and the good companionship.
It was wonderful meeting so many people we had only nodded to before – and the Lithuanians who live opposite. It is wonderful to live in such a friendly road, so thank you very much to those of you who bore the brunt of the organising – you did a really wonderful job. And cheers to her Majesty: let’s hope she lives just a little bit longer so we can have some more wonderful jubilees!
Andrew Selkirk
5th June 2022