The Diamond Jubilee and a very British Street Party

It was a big four-day weekend here in the UK as Britons the land over celebrated our Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.   I went back to the town where I grew up to celebrate with family, friends and neighbours at something the British do best; a good old-fashioned Street Party.  The flags fluttered, heaps of bunting was strung across the streets and even the sun came out for a while.  Let me share with you a very special day…

Everybody made a huge effort to decorate their homes for the occasion – there were many Union flags, but Ireland, India, Canada, Poland and Australia were all represented too, emphasising our modern, multi-cultural society. The corgis watch the comings and goings at number 32…

Before setting up the tables we moved our cars from the road – it looks so much bigger without them and probably much as it would have looked when it was originally built, although the houses are now painted in pretty pastel colours.

The Victorian cottages on the south side of the street have a plaque naming the terrace ‘Coronation Cottages 1902’ – so were built around the time of the coronation of Edward VII – how fitting!

People began to gather and the tables started to fill with mountains of delicious food – I made a cheese, tomato and basil Quiche and Jubilee themed cup cakes!  This shot looks down the road towards ‘The Green’ where the local cricket team play and where the children had egg and spoon races and a fancy dress competition during the afternoon.

Scrumptious food, Pimms and clever homemade table decorations adorned the tables while rousing patriotic music, the Beatles and Brit Pop helped set the scene and added to the Jubiliciouness of it all – Cool Britannia.  There was even a gigantic tea urn.
Let them eat cake – the Jubilee bake-off was a sure-fire hit!

The Home Guard – A local ‘Character’ arrived banging his big bass drum

The party in full swing.

It was lovely to see the young, elderly, newcomers to the street and long-standing neighbours of different ethnicities and backgrounds making some very happy memories together. We enjoyed a wonderful day – not only did we celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne but we embraced our community and our Britishness.    And, no, it didn’t rain!