A GROUP of mums is planning to bring their community closer together by staging events and activities, starting with the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
The six women are part of Butterknowle Village Hall’s toddler group and came up with the idea after noticing there were no other plans to celebrate the jubilee in their village.
Carolyn Matthews, who last year helped to organise a Christmas fair at the hall, said: “There was nothing going on in Butterknowle yet Woodland was having a big four-day event, so we decided to pull together and put something on.”
Their efforts have resulted in a family fun day which includes an afternoon tea and an evening disco.
Weather permitting, the mums group is hoping to have many activities outdoors and on the day they will have traditional games such as coconut shy and stocks, face-painting, arts and crafts, a Pimms stand and a toddler play area. The hall bar will be open.
They also hope to have children manning a traditional lemonade stand.
The toddler group, as well as Butterknowle Sea Scouts are making bunting which will complement the 70 metres that have already been sewn by a volunteer in the village.
Various people are throwing their support behind the group with one person making planters and another going door-to-door selling raffle tickets. The local history group is also getting involved by putting up a display.
The mums have roped in local business KD Cakes to supply the cakes for the afternoon tea, and a grandmother of one of the mums will be baking scones.
Group member Kimberley Batey said: “Everything is home-made made locally. We want to make it a day for everyone and that brings everyone together.
“We want to get people out and to support the village hall and put on something for the kids as well.”
The village hall committee has given support by offering the venue rent free, and has donated £250 towards the celebration.
The mums are looking to supplement that by finding further grants, as well as donations of hampers, vouchers and items from local businesses for the raffle.
Any cash raised from the raffle and sales will be divided between the toddler group, Butterknowle Sea Scouts, Friends of Butterknowle School and the village hall.
Ms Matthews said: “Whatever we do will go back into the community.”
The celebrations begin from 1pm on Sunday, June 5.
Businesses that would like to support the raffle can contact Carolyn Matthews on 07496 882756.
