SUITS YOU, SIR - Matt Cobb with his greyhounds sporting Jubilee cravats
IT was a weekend none of us will ever experience again. Street closures were rejoiced. The weather was not an issue. The Queen was celebrating 60 years on the throne and Woking was in the mood to party.
In Chobham a red, white and blue wave of people washed through the high street.
Horsell crowned its Jubilee weekend with a collection of hats that Her Majesty would have felt at home in.
While hundreds of picnickers savoured this historic moment on Byfleet village recreation ground.
A regal parade, fronted by a stirring marching band, hit the right note with revellers at Pirbright Green.
In Ripley, hundreds watched on as the Diamond Jubilee beacon was lit on the village green. And Pat Baker, born in the year of The Queen’s coronation, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
In total, 48 roads were lawfully closed for residents to take their parties to the street.
The Queen is the physical embodiment of all that is great about us and our countryAnd there were hundreds of impromptu gatherings tucked away in the borough’s streets, as friends, families and neighbours enjoyed a right royal knees up.
A sing off and Wellington boot throwing competition was held at Maitland Close, West Byfleet.
Champion thrower James Post, 38, said: “Celebrating a Jubilee is very unique.
“There will not be a day like this again for a very long time so we should take the time to enjoy it.”
Residents of Lincoln Drive, Pyrford, received the shock of their lives when the Mayor of Woking, Michael Smith, arrived with Mayoress Anne Murray and joined in their Jubilee bash.
Freda Spickett, 84, of Send, toasted Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953 and remembered it being very similar to her Diamond Jubilee. She said: “It was wet and very cold that day, too.”
As The Queen marked her 60th year as head of the monarchy, villagers gathered on the green to celebrate her outstanding achievement.
A rousing marching band led a parade of patriotism, with young and old decked in their finest royal-themed fancy dress, with red, white and blue the order of the day.
Cunningham House retirement home residents decorated two golf buggies to join in the action before everyone tucked into a mouth-watering lamb roast.
Laura McMurniman, 25, who grew up in the village and was married in St Michael & All Angels church last summer, said: “It’s great how so many different generations are involved.
“My whole family being here made my dad so happy – he was actually born in the village.
“I know she was really busy but I’m sure The Queen would have loved seeing everyone enjoying themselves.”
Laura’s husband Sheldon, 30, added: “Pirbright is the quintessential British village.
“The community spirit and ‘tally- ho’ attitude really does epitomise everything we are celebrating this weekend.
“The Queen is the physical embodiment of all that is great about us and our country.
“Even the cricketers were out and about gearing up to try and get some overs in despite the rain.”
