Fairlands Celebrates Queen’s 90th Birthday In Style Despite Late Change Of Plan

Published on: 17 Jun, 2016
Updated on: 19 Jun, 2016

Report by Sheila Willis, who headed up the team that organised of the event

Photographs by David Beamish

Fairlands held a picnic and afternnon of entertainment to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Due to the wet weather, Fairlands had to change its plans at the last minute for its picnic to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. But it didn’t stop anyone from having a great time.

The picnic was held in the hall due to the weather.

With the forecast showing heavy rain, together with lightening thought to strike on Sunday afternoon (June 12), the marquee and the very large bouncy castle that was ordered had to be cancelled.

But the spirit of Fairlands came into the Fairlands Community Hall where all other planned activities took place.

Union flags and bunting all around.

All the activities were free. Children were soon busy making themselves a crown with ‘jewels’ with help from the Worplesdon Guides, designing and making a birthday card for the Queen, and later in the afternoon when the sun did eventually decide to shine the children were able to follow a royal trail around the large community field collecting a prize when they finished.

Children flocked to have their faces painted.

Bunnies’ face painting carried out some magnificent designs which again was free as the community association paid for these works of art.

The picnic was eaten inside. Visitors poured into the hall instead of the field, with their food and drink.

The hall was magnificently decorated with flags and bunting. Tables had been set out in the morning all laid with red white and blue check tables cloths and decorations.

The Rhythm of Life community choir.

As the rain poured down outside the very confident and tuneful Rhythm of Life community choir started the afternoon off with great style with a very energetic performance.

Choir member Sam.

They entertained the audience with several favourite songs – some with slightly different arrangements than we may have been accustomed to, all were immensely enjoyed and applauded well.

Froggle, the children’s entertainer, managed to keep the younger members of the audience very vocal and happy for an hour with his routine of magic,ventriloquism, slapstick and dancing.

Children’s entertainer Froggle with his captive audience.

The merry throng of approximately 50 children wound its way around the hall and ventured outside, in a bright spell, dancing to the conga.

The children were also able to show their skills at limbo dancing. A mass bubble machine bought the fun and games to a close.

Worplesdon Brownies.

The brownies handed out song sheets and flags to the huge audience as the Surrey Police Band took to the stage with their final set giving an extremely rousing performance of a variety of national tunes.

It was then the hand held flags began to wave with gusto and rousing voices sang Rule Brittania and Jerusalem.

The Surrey Police Band.

The Surrey Police Band had everyone singing, their performance was superb.

Clarinet players in the Surrey Police Band.

Before the National Anthem was played and sang there was an enormous rendering of Land of Hope and Glory. It nearly lifted the roof off!

The team who served the refreshments.

The lovely ladies of the Fairlands WI had baked scrummy cakes and this was served with coffee or tea all for a £1.

There was also a display of Fairlands old photos for residents to reminisce over.

The afternoon was all paid for by the Fairlands, Liddingtons and Gravetts Lane Community Association. Visitors and parents didn’t have to pay for anything which was lovely enabling all children to benefit and join in.

Bob Willis, the community association membership secretary, was on hand, together with Allen Mead to encourage anyone to join the community association.

It is only £11 a year and it will enable the association to plan other events.

Having fun at the picnic.

Janette Panton and Ian Stacey helped with the organisation of the event.

Local residents helped with the preparation of the crown making. There was also the bunting ‘putter uppers’, known as The Bunting Boys. It certainly was a fantastic event to celebrate the Queens 90th birthday and very well attended.

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