The Queen’s Silver Jubilee of June 1977 became one of the biggest village events of the 1970s in a highly organised succession of varied activities lasting for three days.
An elected committee to set up and organise different activities included chairman Bryan Veale, secretary Jenny Smith, treasurer Ian Daniel and publicity officer Bob Goodson. Other committee members were Reverend Keith Chare, Marj Lacy, Helen Osborne, Doris Fletcher, Janice Lacy, Cecil Maxted, Yvonne Paulley and Alec New.
The silver jubilee celebrations began on Saturday June 4th 1977 with street parties for children in different parts of the village. These were held in Rich Boakes’s orchard in Chaffes Lane where pensioners were also invited, Bishop Lane, Crosier Court, Church Farm Road and The Poles. Tables and chairs were placed on the road while Union Jack flags and red, white and blue bunting hung. Children were entertained with music, games and Punch and Judy in a lively afternoon of fun.
After the street parties a barbecue and disco took place on The Paddock and a barn dance in the village hall to end an action packed first day of celebrations.
On Sunday 5th June Reverend Keith Chare held a morning thanksgiving service in the church. Shortly before the service the village scouts and guides held a parade and marched from the recreation ground to the church and attended the thanksgiving service. During the evening Upchurch Choral Society performed a concert in the church.
A children’s pageant in the form of a procession started from Holywell School in Forge Lane and passed through The Street and Oak Lane as far as the old people’s bungalows then back to The Paddock. Holywell School organised the pageant and pupils impersonating the royal family led the procession. Nicola Daniel played the Queen, Simon Antwiss Prince Philip, Sarah Phillips the Queen Mother and Ella Reader Princes Margaret. The pageant had several themes such as ‘Life in the Past Twenty Five Years’, ‘Fashion’, ‘Sports’ and ‘Technological Achievements’. Decorated floats also participated such as ‘Concorde’ by John Gower and ‘North Sea Oil’ Rig by Martin Gilbert.
A fete began in The Paddock on Monday afternoon with competitions for knobbly knees, the hairiest chest and the most glamorous granny. An old people’s fancy dress contest and a tug of war competition also took place. Meanwhile, stalls represented by different village clubs and organisations sold a variety of goods.
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Thank you to Jill and Terry Lewis for their photographs of the Queen's Silver Jubilee Celebrations at Crosier Court. The Commemorative Plaque in Oak Lane reads: THIS OAK TREE WAS PLANTED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL TO COMMEMORATE THE SIVER JUBILEE OF H.M. QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUNE 1977 |
Silver Jubilee Crown Coins made by the Royal Mint and certificates to commemorate the occasion were presented to all children in the village born between September 1st 1965 and June 7th 1977. Jubilee committee chairman Bryan Veale did the presentation.
Fund raising events such as a Grand Draw were held to raise money for the cost of the Crown Coins and to improve aspects of the village. A total of £425 was raised then the parish council added a further £75. A sum of £100 was given to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Fund and the remainder to the parish council to decide how to use the money after a public meeting took place in the old Holywell School on July 4th.
The parish council decided to plant an oak tree with an accompanying commemorative plaque on the green (known to some Upchurch residents as Grannies Green) near Bishop Lane. A second tree was later planted when the original appeared to die, but it recovered leaving two trees on the site.
Overall, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in Upchurch were highly successful and well organised by the Silver Jubilee Committee who were widely praised and who presided over a memorable three days of activities in the village.
David Wood
David Wood
About David
David Wood was born, raised and still lives in Upchurch today. He is able to write from personal experience about village life and the changes that have taken place over the years, making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable and detailed historical study of the village.
David's book is available from David at david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + postage and packing.
