Date: 27 May 2022
The bunting’s being prepared, the food and drink bought and an anxious eye is already being cast over the long range weather forecast.
The long Platinum Jubilee weekend, marking the 70th anniversary of HM The Queen’s reign, is almost with us.
And churches across the diocese are finalising their plans for local celebrations.
Starting early on Friday 3 June is St Mary’s Church Thorpe. Between 12 and 4pm their Jubilee Garden Party. Among the attractions there will be a Children’s Fancy Dress competition, a Pimms tent and the Egham Band. It’s all happening on the lawn at TASIS.
St Mary of Bethany Woking is hosting a Street Party on Sunday 5 June 1-2.30pm. The Revd Mark Wallace Vicar of St Mary’s says, “We’ll be closing the road and having a picnic outside church on Mount Hermon Road. We’re providing all the food and hope to welcome many from our neighbourhood to enjoy time together celebrating this special occasion.”
Across in Camberley St Martin’s church, in partnership with the Old Dean Community Group, will be offering a cream tea and fun craft activities for children from 1.30-3.30pm.
Effingham with Little Bookham Parish are taking part in a week of celebrations starting on Saturday 28 May with a Jubilee Village Market in its church hall gardens.
During the following week the churches of St Lawrence, Effingham and All Saints’ Little Bookham will be open for visitors to see the flower displays and art work by local school children. There will also be a history display in St Lawrence charting the history of Effingham during the Queen's reign.
On Saturday 4 June, St Lawrence will host an Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving at 11am and at 2.30pm it will also host a Churches Together Royal Garden Party in the Jubilee gardens opposite the church.
Back in Woking, St Mark’s Church in Westfield Rd, is celebrating with a Garden Party. Tea, cake, music and fun family activities are all on the menu. More details www.stpeterwoking.org/jubilee
For an afternoon tea with music try the Jubilee party at the Phoenix Youth Centre, Epson, where the United Church of St Mark will be welcoming the Epsom Downs Community Choir. They’ll be performing some old-time songs and leading a sing-along. The fun and music starts at 2pm on Sunday 5 June.
This is just a small selection of what the churches in our diocese are doing to celebrate this unique milestone. For details of of something near you, do look at your local church’s website.