Thursday June 2nd – Sunday June 5th
Over the long Bank Holiday weekend, Cottingham and Middleton villagers came together to celebrate a once in a lifetime event, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Kicking off on Thursday with street food and live music at the Royal George, at 9.30pm villagers walked up to the field next to the Dale to see our Jubilee beacon set alight to a trumpet fanfare, against the backdrop of the sun setting over the valley.
Our Jubilee beacon was one of only 34 in the whole of Northamptonshire, and our Parish Councils are delighted to have received this certificate from the Queen’s Pageant Master Bruno Peeks LVO OBE OPR, sent on to us by the Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire.
On Friday, the Church bells rang out to herald in the day before a 10am Church Service and afternoon tea and cake with the Alpacas of Cottingham.
Saturday saw street parties taking place across the villages.
On Sunday, torrential rain threatened to scupper plans for the Big Feast on the recreation field, but the Jubilee Committee quickly set up the Village Hall Annex so villagers could picnic inside and still enjoy live music from local performers!
Huge thanks must go to our Parish Councils and a whole host of villagers for making these celebrations one to remember. You can find a full list of thankyous below.
You can also see our full Jubilee photo gallery on the village Facebook page, even if you don’t have a Facebook account. Please click the button above.
Jubilee Thanks
Thank you to everyone who made these fabulous celebrations happen!
The Jubilee Committee and publicity team
- The Jubilee Committee, jointly led by Middleton and Cottingham Parish Councils – Sian Coughlan, George West Robinson, Leigh Morrell, Marie Thomas, David Grayson, Teresa Denton and Ali Freestone
- Jane Smith, Leigh Morrell and Sian Coughlan for communication of the events in the lead up to, during and after the festivities
- Middleton and Cottingham Parish Councils for their financial support
- Charles Freestone for designing the Jubilee posters and leaflets
Thursday 2 June – Beacon lighting
- Steve Morphy for providing the beacon brazier and pole, Ali and Charles Freestone for use of their land, Steve and Charles for getting the beacon securely in the ground and erected, and George West Robinson for use of his PA system
- Rob Cross for his trumpeting skills, playing the ‘Majesty’ fanfare
- Sian Coughlan, David and Pam Grayson, Marie and Kevin Thomas, Ali and Charles Freestone for marshalling the evening.
- The Royal George for creating a great atmosphere with their Jubilee event, offering food and live music from ‘Rocking Revival’, earlier in the evening
Friday 3 June
- The Welland Valley bell ringers, for sounding the church bells at St Mary Magdalene in the morning
- Church committee members and friends, for getting the Church spruced up for the open weekend, and to Rev Amanda Oliver for leading the Church service at 10am
- Cottingham CofE Primary School children for the beautiful handmade posters and bunting, and everyone who brought flowers and plants to decorate the Church
- Tracey and Jon Hinton for the amazing afternoon tea with the Alpacas of Cottingham – Humphrey, Alan, Kuzco, Snowy and Biscuit
Saturday 4 June
- Everyone who put their time and effort into organising street parties
Sunday 5 June – The Big Lunch
- Christine and George West Robinson for the use of their marquee and trailer for the event; George West Robinson, Charles Freestone, Jonathan Haddock, David Grayson, Chris Morrell, Andrew Swanston, Sian Coughlan and Nick Faulkner for getting the marquee up and down; and Chris Morrell and Andrew Swanston for their trailer towing and reversing skills
- Marie Thomas, David Grayson, Charles Freestone, Leigh Morrell and Sian Coughlan for quickly setting up the Village Hall Annex with flowers, bunting and other Jubilee decorations, when the weather decided not to live up to expectations – and for clearing up afterwards!
- Jacob Nixon, Pete Smith, Paul Aspinall and Steve Chown for setting up the PA equipment for the musical entertainment
- Our performers, all giving their time for free – Valley Voice Choir, led and conducted by Debbie Smith; Yellow Dog – Steve Chown, Kevin Groome and Chris Preston-Jones; Jubilee Jazz – Jane Smith and John Deane; Simon Shaw Duo – Simon Shaw and George West Robinson; Soundpost – Debbie and Pete Smith, Paul Aspinall, Simon Shaw and George West Robinson; Singalong and National Anthem – the ensemble, joined by Rob Cross on trumpet
- Sue and Paul Aspinall, Jean Haddock, Dave and Paula Love for their services as standby medics on the day
- Ian Horton of Ganders Goat for the amazing ice-creams