On the morning of Friday 3rd June 2022, a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Coffee Morning & Exhibition was held in the Village Hall. This included a special historical display, created by Alan Langley, Judy Hodgetts and Russell Burton, that featured past Royal Celebrations in the Village and details of 200 years of Parish Council (and its predecessors) Village support.

This page includes the content of the Royal Celebrations section of the Exhibition. Please click the link below to open the page for the Parish Council Village Support section of the Exhibition.

https://eastfarndon.org/platinum-jubilee-exhibition-parish-council-support

History of East Farndon Royal Celebrations

1897 Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, 1902 Coronation of Edward VII & 1911 Coronation of George V

In 1897, the local paper reported that the newly restored church bells were rung at intervals during the day. There was a dinner for all, except the children, at 1 p.m., when the tables were provided by Mr G. Russell of the Three Horseshoes. Mr Eagle (of the Bakehouse) baked all the joints. There were 130 present.

Read the full pdf document by clicking the heading or the photo.

1935 King George V’s Silver Jubilee

Events took place on 6th May. A new flag was unfurled at the school by Mr F.G. Cox. There was a cricket match between single men and married men, and various other sports events, including a tug-of-war between ladies over 18 and men over 18 (which sounds unfair!). A ‘meat tea’ was given for adults in a large marquee.

Read the full pdf document by clicking the heading or the photo.

1937 Coronation of George VI

Mrs Piggin’s cottage (maybe on Back Lane, maybe now demolished) won the prize for the best decorated house. There were games of musical chairs and a statue dance, to music played by the ‘Crown’ accordion band. The sports were postponed because the ground was waterlogged – that included cricket and a tug-of-war which it was hoped to hold in a week or two.

Read the full pdf document by clicking the heading or the photo.

1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

By the 1950s the local paper’s reports were not as detailed as in previous decades. All we learn is that “East Farndon was the brightest village” and that this was achieved mainly by lighting rather than bunting or paper decorations. It therefore seems certain that the displays were set up by Norman Ward, a Farndon man with an electrical business. Norman was the son of the family who lived and worked at Farrer Farm.

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1977 Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee

The programme of events was similar to that of previous royal milestones. The photograph shows an entry in the children’s art competition by Robert Langley, aged 4 (nearly 5). The painting can be seen on the wall of the Village Hall at the children’s tea party.

Read the full pdf document by clicking the heading or the photo.

2002 Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee

The Village made none of the usual arrangements for a celebration, so the day passed quietly. However there was a Golden Jubilee Supper in a marquee in the evening, at which these photos were taken. It was held in a large marquee in the grounds of the Hall, thanks to the kindness of the Everard family.

Read the full pdf document by clicking the heading or the photo.

2012 Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee

Events on Jubilee Day in the village took place in the field below The Lealand. There were sports and games, food and drink, music from the Robert Smyth Soul Band and the release of a flock of balloons. But for many it was mainly a chance to sit in groups, with a drink or two, and chat.

Read the full pdf document by clicking the heading or the photo.

2012 Diamond Jubilee Trip To Leicester

Richard Everard, who has lived in the village for many years, served as Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire from 2003-2013.  Here he is seen accompanying Her Majesty The Queen on her trip to Leicester as part of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee.  It was the first trip of her Jubilee year and she had specifically asked to visit Leicester.

Read the full pdf document by clicking the heading or the photo.

2022 Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee

For such a unique Royal landmark the Parish Council decided to support the staging of a significant celebration and, in the autumn of 2021 set up a committee of volunteers to plan and manage the various aspects of the celebration.

All of the events went ahead as planned and were well received. Traditions were followed – for example by holding a Best Decorated House competition like previous celebrations – but also by enduring the vicissitudes of the British weather, just like the Coronation celebrations of 1937 and 1953.  Villagers put their anoraks and coats on and got on with enjoying themselves!

You can access all of the details of how East Farndon celebrated by clicking the heading or the photo.

This website has a decicated set of pages covering the 2022 East Farndon celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. You can click this link for direct acces: https://eastfarndon.org/platinum-jubilee-celebrations/