MORE than ten community groups have come together to put on three weeks of activities in Evenwood to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Events range from a treasure hunt and history exhibition to church services and a garden party which will run from the end of May through to the monarch’s birthday, on June 11.
Groups involved include the village churches, the two primary schools, the local history society, an in-bloom group and the Wellgarth Community Hub.
Jackie Dodds, of Evenwood and District History Society, said: “It is a coming together of all the local groups to see if we can do something together instead of doing things separately. It has been a really good joint effort.”
The festivities kick off with the history group’s exhibition at Evenwood Parish Hall for three days from Friday, May 27. The theme will be royalty, as well as life in Evenwood, Ramshaw and Evenwood Gate in the 1950s.
It will have photographs, documents, items and news clippings from the period, including a vintage hand-dicer which is on loan from a resident.
Interestingly, there are also a variety of magazines and sewing patterns on display, including one for a wedding dress.
Mrs Dodds said: “Imagine knitting your own wedding dress, isn’t it wonderful?”
The royal display includes a variety of coronation and jubilee memorabilia such as thimbles, mugs, biscuit tins and a little jubilee milk jug which Mrs Dodds picked up in a charity shop in Whitby for 50p. The history enthusiast added: “These are all things we have picked up over the years.”
A feature of the display will be an original 1950s record player which will be used to play music throughout.
The exhibition runs from 11am to 3pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 1pm to 3pm on Sunday.
Launching at the same time is a jubilee treasure hunt devised by Friends of Ramshaw member Debbie Hugill.
It follows a village walk map devised by the history society and will see people following the route to find certain points.
There is also a quiz to find royal-related streets, such as Jubilee Terrace.
Ms Hugill said: “It is for all ages and people will have two weeks to do it.”
Families who complete the hunt will receive an item of jubilee memorabilia.
Residents are also being encouraged to take part in a window dressing competition with entries available from the Randolph Community Centre.
The actual jubilee weekend, Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, will be celebrated with open days at St Paul’s Church for quiet contemplation as well as a small display along with refreshments.
On Sunday, June 5, there will be a celebrations service and bell ringing at 10.15am at Cornerstone Christian Centre, followed by a jubilee cafe at 6pm.
Mrs Dodds said: “There are lots of things going on during the jubilee weekend, which is why we took our main event to June 11, which is the Queen’s birthday.
This will be held at Randolph Community centre between 11am and 4pm where there will be a fun day and garden party.
Free food will be on offer as well as children’s and adults’ entertainment such as Punch and Judy and live 1950s music.
There will also be children’s games, craft tables and a small exhibition.
People are encouraged to dress in 1950s style clothes for the day.
The winners of the window dressing competition will be revealed during the main event.
