1977 Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee

(recorded by Mr. D. Rowlinson)

At an Open Meeting held at the Village Hall on 22nd November 1976, initial preparations were made to commemorate the forthcoming 25th Anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. In the following months, various meetings and fund-raising events were held to finance what, for a small community, would prove to be a memorable 2-day programme of sports, competitions and merry-making following the Thanksgiving Service on the Sunday.

Monday, 6th June brought unseasonal weather for the children's sports but, despite this, an enthusiastic crowd of competitors and supporters turned up on Clarendale Green to encourage and participate. After a full programme, which included races for parents, prizes of Jubilee Crowns, Pens and Pencils were awarded. Later in the day, a Tea Party and Whist Drive was held in the Village Hall for about 30 senior villagers.

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Best Dressed Houses Competition

Jubilee Day, 7th June, was eagerly awaited, for the climax was to be a big celebration Barn Dance for everyone. At first, however, there was more serious business to be dealt with, starting with the judging of the best decorated house competition, and the judges had the unenviable task of selecting the three best entries from a large entry of a very high standard

 Jubilee Queen's Float (IN THURLOW)

Fancy Dress Competition

In the afternoon, the Fancy Dress competition was held, the theme of "The Last 25 Years" being well represented with an imaginative display of costumes and ideas

Sports on Clarendale

After the judging of the Fancy Dress, the entrants paraded with a large proportion of villagers to Clarendale Green for the Tug of War competition. This proved to be a similarly colourful occasion for which the sun shone and, after what proved to be some not-too-serious rounds, commemorative trophies were presented to the winners.

Children's & Seniors Party

Next followed the Children's Tea Party, held at the Fox Farm Barn, involving a great deal of lovely food for the youngsters of the village, who surely will remember the event for years to come. Afterwards, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Stephen Ryder, presented commemorative mugs to all children up to school- leaving age
Picture
• Front Row: Two girls in yellow polo necks: Dawn & ? Romain; boy with arms folded: Adrian Steward; Girl in white dress:Naomi Boneham • 2nd row from front , boy in yellow touching face: Chris Knight; To his left in glasses and red T shirt: Paul Rowlinson • 3rd row from front. Boy in blue & red striped T-shirt: Jonathan Durant. To his left: David Smith • 4th row. Far left: Boy in a blue jumper,at the very left:Mark Alsop, and immediately in front of him Jamie Alsop(with blonde hair and in a cream jacket); In middle of row:boy in white T-shirt with blue sleeves: Gavin Mills

Party Washer-uppers

Finally, to provide a fitting climax to the celebrations, the barn became the stage (literally - 2 trailers) for an Old Time Music Hall, featuring many Women's Institute members ably assisted by some male songsters. During the evening, a bonfire was lit in accordance with tradition, and the celebrations were brought to a close with dancing

Women's Institute Tree Planting

Maisie Martin, who lived at Matthew's Farm led the idea to plant trees in a vacant plot of land at the corner of Evergreen Lane & Matthew's Lane to celebrate the Silver Jubilee.  The land now has a bungalow on it.
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The picture below shows the plot of land at the corner of Evergreen Lane & Matthew's Lane that was called Jubilee Garden, and as it is now.
For all the information on the Silver Jubilee in Great Bradley, including minutes from the planning committee etc, go to the Village Archive by clicking here
Great Bradley, Suffolk, England