In addition to a celebratory church service we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by having a village walk on the Holiday Friday and a street party on the Sunday.
Both events were very well attended. Nearly 30 people went for a lovely walk along the track overlooking the reservoir and then back to Theobald’s Green through the village. Several people kindly made cakes (Brigid Harpham, Benita Buckland and Marilyn Price) with Geoff and Benita Buckland providing teas and coffees on the Green. It was a lovely end to a very nice walk. A number of people suggested that we set-up a village walking group to undertake similar walks about once a month. Please look out for details in The Villages and on the village website—calstone.org
86 villagers came together for the street party. A number of us were nervously checking the weather forecast in advance but fortunately, against all the predictions, it remained dry for the whole party. The road from Theobalds Green towards Calstone Mill was closed for the event with tables and bunting setup up down the road. Everybody seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. There were two competitions, best decorated cake and best decorated hat. Kate Morley won the hotly contested, close fought, cake competition, which had 11 entries, with judge Rob Hislop having to enlist the help of some passing walkers to help choose the winner! She was awarded with a Calstone Jubilee commemorative apron. Lara Firtye won the children’s competition.
Berendean Money-Kyrle had an equally difficult job judging the best decorated hat competition. After careful selection, Nick Tatham won and was awarded a commemorative mug.
A new commemorative bench was unveiled on Theobalds Green which was expertly made by Geoff Buckland. The bench was kindly funded by Calne Without Parish Council. Pat Maundrell and Albi Newey buried a time capsule beneath the bench—hopefully we will able be around in 50 years to see it being dug up!
The time capsule contains one page from many of the children present at the Street Party, outlining their dreams and aspirations for the future, photos of the party, a list of who attended and where they live (plus the names of a few people who would loved to have attended but unfortunately couldn’t due to coming down with Covid), a copy of The Villages magazine and a few other bits and pieces of interest.
Thanks to a small group of volunteers who helped organise the two events. The group was made up of Benita Buckland, Sue Bridger, Peter Robinson, Louisa Vere Nicoll and Marilyn Price, and was expertly led by Geoff Buckland. Also thanks must go to the volunteers who helped set-up the tables and bunting and clear everything away again.
