THE Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations are almost upon us and Westbury and the surrounding villages are pulling out all the stops to make sure Her Majesty’s 70-year reign is celebrated in style. Here is a round-up of what’s going on…
Westbury events:
Thursday 2nd June – street party and beacon lighting- Westbury Town Council has organised two events for residents – the mayor, cllr Sheila Kimmins, will be hosting a children’s street party in Westbury High Street from 2pm to 5pm. Organisers promise an afternoon of entertainment, music, games for children and an afternoon tea (paid for by Westbury Town Council and supported by Westbury Area Board).
Later that evening at 9.45pm, the town council has organised a beacon lighting ceremony to take place at the White Horse, with a special bugle rendition of ‘Majesty’ to be played. More than 1,500 beacons will be lit at the same time across the UK, Channel Islands and UK Overseas territories. All the beacons will stay lit for an hour.
Colouring competition – Westbury Town Council and Westbury Lions have organised a colouring competition for Westbury children.
The organisers say, “If your child would like to join in the Westbury Jubilee fun, there is a colouring competition with artwork created by local painter Alex Prowse.”
To print your colouring sheet go to www.westburytowncouncil .gov.uk or the town council Facebook page or http://www.whitehorsenews.co.uk/blog/ wp-content/uploads/2022/05/colouring- print-HR.pdf
Hand your entries in to the town council gazebo at the Jubilee Tea Party.
Sponsored by the Westbury Lions, Alex will be adding colour live to his artwork on the day with inspiration taken from the competition entries.
Thursday 2nd June – family fun day at The View – from 11am to 5pm families can expect a whole host of free activities to take part in, including donkey rides, face painting, temporary tattoos, a climbing wall, helter skelter, and even a bouncy castle! There will also be a performance by Lifetimes, as well as a range of ice creams and a barbecue for people to buy on the day.
Saturday 4th June – Westbury Conservative Club ‘Jubilee in the garden’ – From 2pm to 8pm the Westbury Cons Club will be hosting an afternoon tea event with cream teas and a Prosecco bar as well as live music from Jamie Hawkins (2pm), Becky Lawrence (4pm), Stewart Saye (5.30pm) and Mangled Wurzels (9pm). There will also be face painting, bouncy castles and candy floss for the children as well as cheese boards and port.
Sunday 5th June – All Saints’ service – There will be a special service at All Saints Church Westbury on Sunday 5 June at 9.30am where the church will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The church says they will have some special music and prayers, and they will be reflecting on Her Majesty’s great achievement and all that she has contributed to our country and the world over the last 70 years. Refreshments will be served after the service.
Westbury Leigh events:
Friday 3rd June – Leigh Park Community Centre (LPCC) family fun day and bake off – The LPCC is hosting a family fun day from 10am to 4pm and organisers say there will be a range of live music, children’s entertainers, dance performers, inflatables, The View party bus, licensed bar, and free games for the children. There will be a variety of different food stalls including a range of veggie and vegan options. The organisers are also hosting a bake-off competition with the winner to be announced at 3pm on the day.
Friday 3rd June – Jubilee fete at Westbury Leigh Church and Community Hall – There will be cream teas, picnics, and hotdogs for people to enjoy, as well as children’s games, stalls and a craft and baking competition from 12.30 to 5pm.
Westbury Yarn Bombers have also decorated the surrounding areas and have said the installation will be available through June. They are raising money for the Westbury Leigh Community Project.
Dilton Marsh events:
Saturday 4th June – Party in the Park at Dilton Marsh playing field – A party in the park is taking place from 2pm to late. The event is set to have local stands and stalls, The View’s Party Bus and pizza oven, and a range of local musicians and bands; Brakelight are set to headline. There will also be a dog show, face painting and a performance by the Infinity Dance Team, as well as a barbecue, ice cream van, tug of war, sports day games, and a parade at 5pm – the best crown design, chosen by the judge will win a prize!
Friends of Dilton Marsh School (FODS) are also hosting a scarecrow trail charity fundraising event from 9am to 6pm on both days of the weekend in the village. Money raised will go towards the funding of a new library for Dilton Marsh Primary School.
Trail maps will guide visitors around the village and help them find the 43 scarecrows. You can pick trail maps (£3 cash) up from the school gate at 3pm on 27th and 28th May, from Fairfield Farm Shop 9am to 4pm from 28th to 31st May and 1st and 4th June 9am to 4pm and from the Holy Trinity Church (morning only) 5th June.
Bratton events:
Thursday 2nd June – village green celebrations – The village green will be hosting jubilee celebrations from 1.30pm to 9.30pm, with the Jubilee Proclamation starting at 2pm and the lighting of the beacon to take place at 9.45pm. There will be a selection of wine, Prosecco and cider alongside a BBQ and pulled pork buns.
Saturday 4th June – Platinum Jubilee Hall exhibition – Bratton Jubilee Hall is holding an exhibition from 10am to 2pm of the activities in the hall along with Jubilee exhibits, Bratton historical photos, craft stalls, plants and many others. There will also be a Jubilee Hall mosaic project with three mosaics of the White Horse, Picquet Hill and the Jubilee logo on display.
Saturday 4th June – tea party and vintage games at Bratton Church Institute – Bratton Baptist Church are hosting a vintage games and tea party from 11am to 1pm and they will have games such as lucky dip, skittles, a temporary tattoo station, crafts stalls, pin the tail on the corgi and more. Tickets are £2.50 and include the price of games, lunch, prizes and a gift bag.
Sunday 5th June village – green picnic in the park– the village green celebrations will continue on the Sunday with a picnic in the park from 12.30pm. You can either bring your own picnic or purchase food from the stalls.
Edington events:
Thursday 2nd June – 8pm Edington Priory Church bells will be rung, 9.35pm Piper will play Diu Reengage on Picquet Hill, 9.40pm bugle call (Majesty on Picquet Hill), 9.45pm bonfire lit on Picquet Hill.
Friday 3rd June – 2pm to 4.30pm there will be an exhibition in Edington Parish Hall of Edington landscapes by local residents.
Saturday 4th June – Jubilee fete in the Priory Church churchyard.
Sunday 5th June – There will be street parties around the village.
