Tuesday 5th June was the day for the Stony Stratford Street party celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and many people in the Parish got involved with enthusiasm. As the High Street filled with people enjoying their picnics, sing-along music just outside the church, the unveiling of the large knitted Union Jack flag, and many other activities, the Parish Hall was used to serve tea, coffee and squash to anyone who needed refreshment, and later, a welcome respite from the drizzle. The church was open for prayer and for people to see the Jubilee flowers. Several people politely asked to make use of the facilities, and several made complimentary comments about the hall. Quite a few hoped that cream teas were being served, so were told that this will happen again next Sunday afternoon at the church, while Folk on the Green is in progress. There was a wonderful sense of community coming together to celebrate and socialise throughout the event, and it was lovely to welcome so many into the church and hall. £139.15 was raised from the refreshments for the Restoration Fund Disabled Access project.
Kieran serves tea in the Parish Hall
Parish family on the knitted flag
Just before singing the Hallelujah Chorus
Parish singers at the street party beside the church
Lesley conducts the ‘scratch choir’
The ‘scratch choir’ including Parish Singers
Jubilee Street Party beside St Mary & St Giles Church
Jubilee Street Party beside St Mary & St Giles Church
On Monday 4th June St Mary & St Giles Band gave a special concert with cream teas to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The band had been practising for weeks, indeed we started planning this concert about 8 months ago and even had a specially arranged piece as part of our programme. We had decided that in this Jubilee and Olympic year, the concert would be themed to fit both occasions – so we had regal and Olympic inspired music to entertain people while they enjoyed their cream teas. It was special for the band, because some of our former members returned to play with us, which was lovely.
Even before the 3pm start we had many people sitting expectantly in the church, and some buying cream teas. And they continued to arrive in large numbers through the next 2.5 hours, so that the original team of 3 serving cream teas was quickly expanded to 5 who were kept extremely busy while the band played. Even at 5.30 pm people were arriving, and at 6pm we only had 6 cream teas left (we had made loads of scones). The audience was very appreciative and supportive which made the atmosphere at this concert very memorable.
The programme was:
National Anthem – God save the Queen (833)
Entry of the Gladiators
Anniversary Waltz
Solo – Jacob Collins played ‘Purcell’s Trumpet Tune’ on the Willis Organ
‘Elizabeth Suite – III March’ (Youth March of Britain – the Princess Elizabeth) by Eric Coates – specially arranged (by Lesley Salter) for the occasion from the original piano arrangement
Finlandia
Tico-Tico bird in the Cornmeal – conducted by Jacob Collins
Behold, the Lord High Executioner
Jupiter
CREAM TEA BREAK for the band
Colonel Bogey March
Chariots of Fire
La Rejouissance
Fairest Isle
Scotland the Brave
Irish washerwoman
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer (233)
Solo – Jacob Collins played ‘Czardas’ on the violin
We are the champions
Nimrod
ANOTHER CREAM TEA BREAK for the band!
The Dam Busters
Pie Jesu
Mission Impossible
Encore request – Colonel Bogey March
Country Gardens
Encore request – Anniversary Waltz
Pomp and Circumstance
Solo – Dave King played ‘Elizabethan Serenade’ on the piano
Hallelujah Chorus
Rule Britannia
National Anthem – God save the Queen (833)
This concert was to pay for the Jubilee Beacon, and it more than covered the cost and made generous donations to the Organ and Restoration funds – the total raised was £770.50, the most we have ever raised at a Band concert. Special big thanks go to Lesley Salter for organising the event and conducting the band, the willing team of helpers who served refreshments, the band for playing and all those who helped set up and tidy up afterwards.
At 10pm the band gathered again, this time outside the tower for the short dedication service for the Jubilee Beacon, lead by Fr Ross, who stood on the large throne chair which since the Stony AHA events in May has stood beside the tower. Local people gathered on both sides of Church street to sing, listen to the prayers read by Fr Ross and the band before the beacon was lit.
The band played:
Land of Hope and Glory (Pomp and Circumstance)
Rule Britannia
Guide me, O thou great redeemer
God save our gracious Queen
Nimrod
The beacon was lit at about 10.15pm and stayed alight until midnight. Apparently some beacons north of Stony Stratford could be seen from the top of the tower, though the one in Campbell Park further south couldn’t be seen, and people spilling out of The Crown at 11.30pm stayed for some time looking at and photographing the beacon.
The Parish celebrated her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style this long weekend. The flower arrangers were very busy in the days leading up to the weekend and did a splendid display in St Mary & St Giles, which is resplendent in red, white and blue. Some of the arrangements are in memory of parishioners who have died.
On Sunday morning Fr Ross lead the special celebration service in All Saints, Calverton (at 11.30 am) and repeated the service in St Mary & St Giles, Stony Stratford later that day (6pm). The Parish Singers sang the psalm and the anthem – Purcell’s ‘Rejoice in the Lord’ during the service, and a small group of the hand bell ringers played ‘The Angelus’ at the end of the service before the voluntary.
Jubilee Flowers surround the font, in memory of Sylvia Lovesey
The arrangement by the West Door
Jubilee arrangement on a pillar
Jubilee Flowers in memory of Charlie and Queenie Saggers
