weaver: June 2002 Archives

METHERINGHAM FLASHBACK...

Queen's Silver Jubilee Celebrations 1977

Metheringham Parish Council formed a Sub-Committee of Councillors to organise the Silver Jubilee Day events on 7th June 1977.

Initially the Committee decided to write to all businesses in the village to seek either a cash donation or gifts for raffle prizes. This was totally successful, for every business contacted gave generously to the fund. The result of this generosity was that every child in the parish was given a Jubilee Crown, and all children at the school a Jubilee Mug.
Prior to the day's events a competition was held in the village hall to crown a Jubilee Queen. This was an extremely popular evening.

Also before the big day, a football competition was arranged between the four village pubs. This was well supported and the winners were presented with a trophy supplied by the organising Committee.

On Jubilee Day itself, a parade of floats set off from Grange Road and worked its way through the village to the playing fields. The parade was led by RAF Waddington's Pipe and drum Band, which later in the afternoon gave a display on the sports field.
The fields were put to good use, accommodating fancy dress parades, children's races, and a tug-of-war contest which again featured teams from the pubs! A swimming competition was held in the open-air pool, and the crowd thrilled to a helicopter display .
One of the highlights of the afternoon was a comic football match between a Village Ladies' Team and a team of chaps all dressed in various items of ladieswear (obviously, "Political Correctness" hadn't been invented in 1977!).

As part of the celebrations, the Senior Citizens of the parish were treated to a Revue and Tea, and the Gardening Club was provided for the Gardening Club to award annually to the most decorative garden as seen from the road. For jubilee day, Many homes in the village made great efforts, with bunting and other decorations being strung across the roads and from house to house across gardens.

The evening concluded with a dance in the Village Hall.

On the back of the "Silver Jubilee Day Timetable of Events", the Chairman of the Jubilee Committee (Dave Harding) wrote a few paragraphs thanking all who had helped to organise the day. He concludes with ..

"P.S. What are you doing in twenty five years time?" -

Well, now you know!
Information kindly supplied by Councillor Bill Chambers.

A fitness tip is what you're after?
Then my first tip is simply "laughter".
'Tis good for the soul, and if you add chuckles,
Will even relax the facial muscles.
If your journey is not too far,
My second tip - discard the car.
Should it be too far to hike,
Then why not "get on your bike".
When your household needs a polish,
Get stuck in, with verve and relish.
Move those arms, extend that torso,
You'll look like "Barbie" - but even more so !
Discard the fats, the cakes, the biscuit,
A heart attack! Don't even risk it !
Feast instead on fruit and veggies,
Chicken, fish and melon wedgies.
If in the evening you're inclined to sit,
My next tip is crochet, sew or knit.
Yes! Why not get out that thimble?
'Twill help to keep your fingers nimble.
So, laugh and walk, and bike and swim
Eat healthily, stretch every limb.
The options are varied, fun and many
And what is more - won't cost you a penny.

by Cathy Mitcham, Metheringham WI
First published in MACLA News Magazine No.7 Summer 2002