Please see the attached Jubilee Food Flyer (Children's Picnic) which we ask you to open, print and return so as to give us some idea of the numbers we can expect at the Jubilee event on the Saturday.

The Queens Platinum Jubilee 2022

Almost 20 years ago the village of Vernham Dean and environs celebrated Her Majesty’s   50 years on the throne.

The late Sheila Thomas and I organised a short parade through the village and Back to the Playing Fields.  Many villagers and nearly all the village organisations participated in what was a wonderful series of events.

The parade was followed by a picnic for the children, Afternoon Tea for the seniors and a BBQ and bar for everyone.

We are hoping to do the same in 2022 for the Platinum Jubilee.

Planned Events:

Thursday 2nd June – Sunday 5th June

CHURCH FLOWERS        

St Mary’s Church will be decorated with flowers to mark the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee and will be open to visitors from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5thJune.

Thursday 2nd June

LIGHTING THE BEACON

The beacon will be sited, as in 2012, just below the ramparts of the hill fort overlooking the village and will be lit at 9:45 p.m. on Thursday June 2nd in accordance with instructions received from the Queen’s Pageant Master, no less! The village will receive an official certificate recording our participation in the event!

Pedestrian access only will be via the public footpath off Conholt Hill adjacent to Well Cottage. You should allow an hour to walk to the fort from the centre of the village so as to arrive in good time. It’s quite a strenuous uphill walk with a stile to negotiate!

PLEASE DO NOT BRING DOGS AS THERE IS LIKELY TO BE LIVESTOCK WITHIN THE FORT. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

The owner of the Fosbury Estate has kindly agreed to the beacon being sited on his land so please take your litter home with you.

Saturday 4th June

PARADE, HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT     

 The Vernham Dean Jubilee Committee has successfully raised the funds for a fun filled celebration on Saturday 4th June 2022 on the Playing Fields.

Festivities will commence at 3 p.m. with a parade. Following this there will be a children’s picnic with entertainment and games throughout the afternoon and for the adults there will be a tea tent serving light refreshments cakes and biscuits.  At 6 pm.  a BBQ has been arranged and live music provided by “Thick Cut”. All this is free of charge for Village Residents, School and Play School children, and their families and friends.

The Landlord at the George Pub, Reece, has agreed to arrange a pay bar for those wishing to purchase wine, spirits, fine ales etc..

The parade will start from the Playing Fields car park through the village past the George Inn and returning through Back Lane to the Playing Fields.         

Several groups have already agreed to take part in the parade.  If you wish to participate in this or have any queries regarding the Saturday event, please contact Tangy Sears 737768 or Thelma Cobbold 737210.

We will be delivering flyers at the beginning of April, for catering purposes, please complete and return to us, (to the addresses on the flyer) advising  of the number of adults and children that will be attending and any dietary requirements we may need to be aware of. 

Sunday 5th June

STREET PARTY

The Street Party will be held on Sunday June 5th and will start at 1:00 p.m. finishing at 4:00 p.m. Tables will be situated on the road between the pub and the village hall.

The road through the village will therefore be closed from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and the diversion will be via Vernham Manor, the church and Bulpits Hill.

Tables will be provided, but people are asked to bring their own chairs, food, drink and table decorations. Umbrellas might also be useful in case the weather is doubtful and in the event of a very wet period the village hall will be open for refuge.

We shall need help with transporting tables from the pavilion and village hall. Volunteers, please let Richard Winch know!

SCARECROW COMPETITION

It is suggested that the scarecrows have a ‘royal’ theme and it is recommended that they are completed and positioned by Sunday May 28th. Please ensure that the scarecrows are visible from the road.

There are a number of instructional videos available on YouTube.

A photograph of the scarecrow, together with your name (first name only) and address should be sent to Paul Bradley paul.bluejay@btinternet.com where it will be placed in a gallery on the village website. There will also be a downloadable map on the website on which will be marked the location of every scarecrow.

Our Borough and County ward councillors, Phil and Kirsty North have kindly agreed to judge the entries. They will use the website to arrive at a short list of 10 which they will then view in person. The winner will be announced during the events on Saturday June 4th. The Crown at Upton has kindly agreed to provide a lunch for 4 as the 1st prize and a family ticket for The Hawk Conservancy for the runners-up.