WESTBURY residents came out in force to celebrate the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II over the four-day bank holiday weekend, with a children’s tea party, family fun days, a beacon lighting and numerous street parties all taking place across the town.
Platinum Jubilee celebrations kicked off in the town on Thursday 2nd June as 240 local children were treated to a free 50s-style street tea party and vintage games, hosted by the Mayor of Westbury, cllr Sheila Kimmins. Later that day, Westbury joined the rest of the country in lighting a beacon at 9.45pm, which was well attended by local people, who were treated to a special bugle rendition of ‘Majesty’.
The Mayor of Westbury, cllr Sheila Kimmins said, “Westbury came up trumps! The tea party was just the start of a jam-packed weekend of Jubilee events across the whole of Westbury. It was so great to see so many people come out and enjoy celebrations such as the jubilee as we’ve had two years of not being able to get together, but I think it brought many smiles back to people’s faces.
“I was so touched by how many children came up to me after the tea party to say thank you – the parents should be so proud! A big thank you to Westbury Lions Club for helping organise the vintage games, we couldn’t have done it without you. We wanted people to have a laugh and seeing dads taking part in the sack race with their children certainly achieved that!”
The View’s free family fun day, also on Thursday, was a great success with many children enjoying the donkey rides, bouncy castle, and free entertainment for people to enjoy. Bratton held their village green celebrations on Thursday, and both Bratton and Edington also lit their beacons at 9.45pm that night.
On Friday 3rd, Westbury residents turned out in their masses to enjoy the family fun day at the Leigh Park Community Centre, with hundreds of people enjoying the performances by Bratton Silver Band and Infinity Dance. The View’s party bus, alongside a whole host of food and sweet stalls kept people refreshed in the sun.
Also on Friday, the Westbury Yarn Bombers decorated the Westbury Leigh Church and community hall with a royal theme and helped set the scene for a variety of children’s games – as well as hosting a baking competition.
On Saturday 4th Westbury Conservative Club held a ‘Jubilee in the garden’ celebration featuring a range of live music and children’s entertainment. Dilton Marsh held a party in the park, with The View’s party bus keeping people topped up, while a range of local musicians and bands took to the stage – there was even a dog show, sports day games, a performance by Infinity Dance Team, and a scarecrow trail.
In Bratton on the same day, Bratton Jubilee Hall held an exhibition featuring a range of historical photos and a mosaic project featuring mosaics of the White Horse, Picquet Hill and the Jubilee logo, as well as hosting a tea party and vintage games at the Bratton Church Institute. A grant from Arts Council England, funded by the National Lottery and awarded by Wiltshire Community Foundation was used to create the three mosaics.
On Sunday 5th, All Saints’ Church in Westbury hosted a special Jubilee service, and Bratton continued their village green celebrations, with residents encouraged to bring picnics.
