Plans for Jubilee celebrations well underway

Plans for celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in Alderley Edge are gathering pace.

Alderley Edge Parish Council are organising a 'Big Lunch Picnic' on Sunday 3rd June. London Road will be closed to traffic to enable a street party to take place in the centre of the village.

The village will be decorated with bunting and banners and tables will be placed down one side of the road. Local residents can with either bring their own picnic or take advantage of the many restaurants and shops who will be open for the day, bringing their trade out on to the street - many of whom will be offering Jubilee specials.

Entertainment will also be provided, along with face painting, a fancy dress competition and an exhibition of Jubilee pictures, produced by local school children, will be on display in Costa Coffee during the event and two weeks prior to it.

Cheshire East Council has organised an all encompassing licence, so that drinking will not restricted to within the restaurant grounds.

If you can help in any way Cllr Melanie Connor would be delighted to hear from you.

Cllr Connor said "We are organising some entertainment and need a piano, singers, music and microphone but more than anything we need bodies on the day. Plus anyone who's got any great or small ideas would be very welcome.

"What we want to achieve is a nice relaxed day that brings residents together so that we have a village party that celebrates the Jubilee but that also celebrates the food and drink of the village and is fun. It's not a Parish Council event, it's a village event and so we need more villagers involved."

Alderley Edge Parish Council will be giving commemorative coins to children at Alderley Edge Community Primary School children and are looking at ways to arrange for all children in the village to receive them.

Other celebrations in the village include a Jubilee Afternoon Tea at Alderley Edge Methodist Church on Sunday 24th June, followed by a Piano Recital by Simon Conning.

Judy Povey, church secretary, said "This is part of a weekend of celebrations for the church, as on Saturday 23rd June we will be having a Service of Re-Dedication to celebrate the completion of our extensive refurbishment work - both of the church spire and also the East Gable.

"Then on Sunday May 27th there is a Jubilee Tea for Girlguiding Alderley Edge District. We are inviting all present leaders and helpers, along with as many previous leaders we are able to contact, to an Afternoon Tea at Mottram St.Andrew Village Hall.

"It is purely an opportunity to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of our Patron, H.M.Queen, and to bring everyone together to acknowledge the tradition, influence, and involvement of Guiding in the local community for over 100 years."

Alderley Edge Luncheon Club are also holding a Jubilee Lunch Party on Tuesday 12th June at the Methodist Church. The WRVS party will be a finger buffet preceded by a singalong and the presentation of long service badges and medals to some of the volunteers.

Volunteer Anne Bale said "We are inviting all the diners at luncheon club plus current and retired WRVS volunteers along with a few special guests. We are inviting about 115 people.

"As soon as I saw that grants were available to encourage groups to hold jubilee parties I thought that our diners and volunteers would particularly enjoy celebrating the jubilee as the diners, retired volunteers and even some of the current volunteers remember the death of the late king and our present Queen's coronation. Fortunately lots of other volunteers will be helping with the organisation of the party including choosing songs from the last 60 years for us all to sing. Some of the food will be prepared by volunteers and the rest will come from local suppliers."

The Alderley Edge Luncheon Club have vacancies for diners on both Tuesdays and Thursdays ( phone Veronica on 01625 583720). They welcomes all older retired people who would like to join others on a regular basis to enjoy a two course lunch for £3.00.