Service, Sweets and Success

Our club members are active in our community and here, member Rtn. Revd. Margaret Fowler (Associate Priest, Christ Church, Billericay) reports on the Jubilee celebrations organised for her local community.

It started with thanksgiving prayers and a video summarising the Queen’s 70 year reign during the Morning Service on Sunday, 5 June.  Special Jubilee flower arrangements were also made by the Church flower ladies to decorate the Church which really added to the occasion.

Margaret reports “we decided to hold a free Jubilee BBQ and Community picnic in the Church grounds on the Sunday afternoon, and sent out invitations to local schools, did a leaflet drop, and advertised on social media.  As the day got closer, we realised many events were going on that day, and wondered how many would come along. Added to which, the weather forecast didn’t look very promising, so we made wet weather plans to move the festivities inside the Church where there is plenty of room.”

Craft And Cakes

“However, on the day, the weather held out and we took the decision to go ahead outside. After the Morning Service church members and other volunteers arrived to help us get everything ready - timing was a bit tight as the festivities were due to start at 2 p.m.”

“There were three bouncy castles on the Church field, the BBQ, an ice cream van, games,  and the amazing Jack Despey jazz band who played all afternoon.  Inside the main hall there were refreshments and lovely home-made cakes to buy, and craft tables set up so that children could make Jubilee crowns for a competition, and also face painting and Jubilee bracelet making.

At 3 p.m. the children paraded wearing the crowns they had made, led by Church member, Sheila Mahoney on her mobility scooter, specially decorated for the occasion.  A local neighbour judged the crown-making competition and all the children were given sweets as prizes, whether they were winners or not.”

The Fuzz And Fun

It was a brilliant afternoon which was attended by around 200 people from the community. Even two police officers arrived ‘just to meet the community’ and join in the fun!

There were some lovely comments by those who came, who couldn’t believe that there was no charge for the bouncy castles and crafts for the children, and that the BBQ, refreshments and cakes were being sold at such reasonable prices. All in all, it was a very happy and successful community celebration for the Jubilee after the long months of not being able to gather together.