On 10 February, around 30 people from all over Harnham gathered at the Community Sports and Social Club to share ideas about how best to celebrate the Queen’s amazing 70-year reign. After a lively discussion, those present put together an outline plan for what might happen over the Jubilee holiday, 2 - 5 June. It’s developing all the time!
Harnham Community Network agreed to coordinate arrangements and publicise the events:
BIG JUBILEE LUNCHES - IN YOUR STREET! A few people reported that the residents of their road were already beginning to think about organising their own street party. We now know of at least 7 roads where residents are starting to plan. We are sure others will follow their example. Nationally, people are being encouraged to organise their Big Jubilee Lunch on the Sunday, 5 June.
Are you thinking about it? Why not talk to your neighbours? It’s a great excuse to make contact if you are not already in touch. Here’s a very helpful resource: you can get a FREE Big Jubilee Lunch Pack, full of helpful tips and ideas, by registering at: https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/ Wiltshire Council has also put together a lot of information about road closures, licences etc., etc. at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-platinum-jubilee-celebrations.
If you are planning an event in your road or neighbourhood, do let us know.
HARNHAM’S BIG JUBILEE LUNCH We were aware that not everyone will have a street party on their doorstep. So we agreed also to plan a Big Jubilee Lunch for the whole of Harnham on the Sunday. Anyone will be welcome to bring their own picnic, and join the fun. Come to Harnham Parish Hall field, Lower Street, from 12.30 - 2.30pm on Sunday 5 June. Hot drinks will be available and a special Jubilee Cake.
HARNHAM IN THE 50S We would also like to create a photographic exhibition of ‘Harnham in the 50s’ to remember the time of the Queen’s accession. Do get in touch if you have photos or other memorabilia from that period.
TORCH RELAY We also agreed provisionally on a great plan to link all the Sunday celebrations together with an Olympic-style torch relay, with runners (or walkers) carrying the torch from one street party/lunch to the next.
OPEN AIR SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION Rev Becky Roberts, Vicar of Harnham Parish, reported that the Parish planned to hold a Service of Commemoration, hopefully on Parsonage Green, on Sunday morning, to which all would be welcome.
SATURDAY ENTERTAINMENT The Community Sports and Social Club are looking to organise a Family Fun Day on Saturday afternoon around the Club at Parsonage Green, followed by a live band in the evening.
TREE PLANTING And finally, we felt it was important to follow the example the Queen is setting with her commitment to tree planting across the country through the Queen’s Green Canopy. So a group agreed to look at funding and implementing a programme of tree planting in Harnham over this Jubilee year.
Would you like to help in some way? There’s plenty to do to get things organised! So if you are planning your own street party or Big Lunch, if you are able to help with organising Harnham’s Big Jubilee Lunch, or if you would like to get involved in the tree-planting campaign, please contact:
Harnham Community Network - Charles Woodd at harnhamcommunity@gmail.com, or ring 07900 815605.
If you would like to help with the Fun Day at the Social Club on Saturday, please contact
Harnham Social Club - Sarah Safe at goatie1635@icloud.com.
We agreed to meet again to review progress at the Social Club at 6.30pm on Thursday 17 March. ALL WELCOME, including anyone planning their own event.
