By Rebecca Hannant
TOWNS and villages across Holderness joined in the celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee across the long weekend of June 2-5.
Since becoming Queen in 1952, Her Majesty has become one of the longest-serving monarchs in the world and the first in the UK to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. Over the long bank holiday weekend, people celebrated with events, activities and moments of reflection.
The Withernsea Celebrates the Jubilee committee had organised a series of events for people of all ages in the town to get involved with, starting with a nature safari at the Hut in Station Road, followed by the official opening of the Jubilee garden in Pier Road. It was opened in tandem with Withernsea Town Council’s Jubilee garden in nearby Italian Gardens.
On the Thursday evening, beacons across the region were lit in unison with thousands across the country and the Commonwealth. During Withernsea’s event, the Commonwealth song, A Life Lived with Grace, was performed by representatives of Withernsea Churches Together and Withernsea Ladies and One Voice choirs.
On the Friday, there was a carnival event on the Hull Road playing fields in Withernsea, which included events and performances such as circus skills, an inflatable assault course, face painting and various games and competitions.
The fun continued the following day with performances from Hosanna Creative Ministry Puppet Show, Withernsea Pierrots and Ruby’s dancers.
On Sunday, Withernsea Town Council organised a service of celebration for the Queen filled with hymns and prayer.
Kerry Soffe of the Withernsea Carnival Committee said: “The Withernsea Carnival and the Withernsea Jubilee Committee would like to thank all those who attended and supported throughout the Jubilee weekend.
“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from Withernsea Big Local, the Lions and all those that have generously given grants empowering a weekend of activities – without these grants the weekend would not have gone ahead. We would also like to thank the council for allowing us the use of Valley Gardens and supporting us through the myriad paperwork to ensure that the day was as safe as it was fun.
“We were also immensely lucky to be supported by members of the public who volunteered their time to support us during the weekend, including the local Scouts chapter and the Army Cadets. We wouldn’t have been able to run a fraction of the events without all of their help and are very deserving of their recognition.
“We are incredibly proud and honoured of the huge turnout on the Friday and Saturday from residents and visitors of Withernsea. Sadly, the weather was against us on the Sunday, but we still had such a great turnout from those who braved the rain to come and find us in the Meridian Centre.”
Hornsea’s events began on the Thursday with people flocking to the promenade near the Hornsea Hub to enjoy the fairground rides and entertainment, which included performances from local band Atlantic 45 and Hornsea School’s cast of Little Shop of Horrorsa. The beacon was lit by Mayor Stephen Prescott while a piece officially composed for the occasion by Antoine Robinson played in the background. Shortly after, attendees moved across to Grainger’s Field to watch a 15-minute fireworks display.
On Sunday, June 5, a bid to create the longest line of people holding hands in Hornsea took place in Hall Garth Park. The challenge, which had never been attempted before, was devised by Simon Tudor and saw more than 1,000 adults and children forming a human chain that spanned across Newbegin and down Cliff Road, Eastgate and along Market Place.
Mr Tudor said: “There were several events around the town over the next couple of days before we regrouped for our attempt to Hold Hands for Hornsea around the town. Despite the awful weather we made a very valiant attempt with a hasty move into Hall Garth Park where we all got together and held hands with three cheers for Her Majesty and then a giant impromptu conga line that went around in front of the marquee, which was housing the bands who played their hearts out despite the rain.
“Several of our local charities and organisations made the effort to set up in the park who along with the fairground made for a very memorable weekend that was only made possible by the lots of local groups, companies, individuals, Hornsea Town Council staff and some of the local councillors pulling together to make these fantastic events happen.”
Although the weather took a turn for the worse on the Sunday, there was a big turnout for Brandesburton’s street party. Meanwhile, Seaton’s main event was moved into the village hall, where families enjoyed entertainment including a singer and a musician.
