Villagers from Mapledurwell, Andwell and Up Nately joined together to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee weekend with a traditional family funday, followed by a barn dance and hog roast in the evening.
Despite the gloomy wet weather, we came together and pitched tents in the field next to The Gamekeepers Pub, Mapledurwell, and settled down for picnics and parades.
The day kicked off with a fabulous children's bike parade, from the field to Mapledurewell pond and back. The bikes had been beautifully decorated in red, white and blue, and the children were bedecked in their finest home-made crowns and tiaras! Prizes were awarded all around, and it was a great way to get into the spirit of the day.
We settled down to dine in the field - some having traditional picnics on blankets, and others pushing the boat out with full size tables and chairs under gazebos, including linen and floral centre pieces... very regal! Soon everyone was enjoying the great live music provided by ‘Equilibrium’, while the more adventurous gained temporary union flag tattoos.
The Gamekeepers pub provided some respite from the rain, as well as a source of beverages and somewhere to watch the Thames pageant. The special Diamond Jubilee glasses provided by the Andwell Brewery proved popular as did their jubilee beer!
As the rain died off the entertainment began, including some serious tug-of-war matches and a memorable rendition of the National Anthem on harmonica. Then as day turned into night the field started to echo with the noise of fiddles being tuned, and soon the barn dance was in full swing. Music and caller from 'The Flying Toads' were excellent, and the dancing was only occasionally interrupted by visits to the hog roast.
A wonderful, happy day to celebrate together this momentous day. Hip hip horray!
Despite the gloomy wet weather, we came together and pitched tents in the field next to The Gamekeepers Pub, Mapledurwell, and settled down for picnics and parades.
The day kicked off with a fabulous children's bike parade, from the field to Mapledurewell pond and back. The bikes had been beautifully decorated in red, white and blue, and the children were bedecked in their finest home-made crowns and tiaras! Prizes were awarded all around, and it was a great way to get into the spirit of the day.
We settled down to dine in the field - some having traditional picnics on blankets, and others pushing the boat out with full size tables and chairs under gazebos, including linen and floral centre pieces... very regal! Soon everyone was enjoying the great live music provided by ‘Equilibrium’, while the more adventurous gained temporary union flag tattoos.
The Gamekeepers pub provided some respite from the rain, as well as a source of beverages and somewhere to watch the Thames pageant. The special Diamond Jubilee glasses provided by the Andwell Brewery proved popular as did their jubilee beer!
As the rain died off the entertainment began, including some serious tug-of-war matches and a memorable rendition of the National Anthem on harmonica. Then as day turned into night the field started to echo with the noise of fiddles being tuned, and soon the barn dance was in full swing. Music and caller from 'The Flying Toads' were excellent, and the dancing was only occasionally interrupted by visits to the hog roast.
A wonderful, happy day to celebrate together this momentous day. Hip hip horray!
RSS Feed