You can view images from the Week by clicking here. More would be most welcome,
and can be emailed to mel19snape@gmail.com or to webmaster@snapevillage.info .
There is also a «Snape Jubilee celebrations» link to them from the homepage.
The Snape Jubilee Week started with the Festival of Suffolk Torch Relay coming through the village on Monday, 30th May. Elisabeth Langley, much loved and admired long term resident of the village was delighted to be the torch bearer for Snape. She travelled by Rickshaw carrying the torch from Snape Church, stopping off at Snape Village Hall for photographs. Then continuing along, the Rickshaw almost got caught for speeding by the Snape Community Speed Watch team whilst travelling down Snape Hill. Residents lined the route and waved Elisabeth through the village to her destination at Snape Maltings, where she was greeted by the Snape Maltings team with a wonderful reception.
The Lighting of the Beacon event at Snape Church on Thursday, 2nd June, welcomed approx 300 guests, the sun shone throughout the evening until it disappeared behind the church tower and it was time for the Beacon to be lit.
The evening was started off by piper David Gillingwater who played his bagpipes to "Diu Regnare", the official piece of music for the occasion. He then rushed off to many of the other surrounding villages who required his unique service. Some sat back and relaxed in the warm evening sunshine, others partied the evening way, enjoying a BBQ provided by Snape Golden Key, music & entertainment from our very own Snape DJs Kay & Paul Readhead. There was live music showcasing the talented Hesse Students, Aldeburgh Young Musicians and Clementine, who all came up the hill from Snape Maltings. There was even a conga dance/procession around the Church Green, which must have been a first for Snape Church. Everyone then proceeded across the road, overlooked by our crossing patrol safety team, to watch the lighting of the Beacon, which was carried out in a very well planned and safe environment. At the end of the evening the Snape Maltings shuttle bus was on hand to take those who needed a lift back into the village. This was a great service which the Maltings kindly provided and was also on hand to take residents to and from the village tea party. It was a wonderful evening enjoyed by a big range of fellow villagers, all having fun and coming together to enjoy the jubilee celebrations.
Many of the houses in Snape had been decorated in red, white and blue for the Jubilee week, and they were a marvellous sight to see. Some registered for the “Snape Decorated House Competition”. It was lovely walking around the village to spot the colourful displays. The competition was judged by our very own “Snape Grumpy Old Men”, who told us that they had a very interesting time judging, and that there were some very innovative approaches. All had done the village proud. The winner was Albion House, who was presented with a luxury hamper kindly donated by Snape Maltings. The runner-up and Highly Commended was 37 Stanhope Close.
Images: Chris Broom (above) and (below) Mel Thurston | ||
Grumpy Old Men off "to view" | Barbara (standing) and Jemma |
On the morning of the Jubilee Tea Party, on Sunday 5th, we all held our breath regarding the weather, so we left nothing to chance and erected plenty of gazebos and tents for cover, as well as having the use of the Village Hall, we were well prepared. Over 100ft of beautiful handmade red, white & blue bunting was strung up inside the hall, thanks to Kath Hough and Viv Holt who spent weeks making it. Thankfully, the weather held throughout the day. The guests (almost 250) arrived and all had been given a free ticket for the raffle which was posted into the rather splendid post box hand made by Sally Gillett, with its own special crown sitting proudly sat on the top. Local businesses and village residents had donated 60 fabulous prizes for the raffle, Jasmin Thurston did a great job in organising all of the prizes. All the children were given a free ticket for an ice cream from the Mr Whippy ice cream van which was in attendance, in fact we were not even charged for any of the ice-creams. Thank you Mr Whippy.
The whole event was free to Snape residents, thanks to generous contributions from: Russ Rainger & Tom Daley our district councillors, The Snape Carol Singers, The Snape Grumpy Old Men (and it was so lovely to see all the Grumpies so happy and smiley at the tea party), Suffolk County Councillor Andrew Reid who paid for the Jubilee Commemorative Medals which were presented to all the Snape School children, the Village Hall Committee for the use of the hall, also Britten Pears Arts & Snape Maltings for their help & generosity.
Throughout the afternoon there were various stalls to keep the children amused (all free). We were entertained by live musicians Wind Blown, 5 in a Bar, The Hesse Students, Dusky Sunday, our very own Snape Toast Master Andrew Barker — also Brian Boulton with his fabulous photographic slide show and memorabilia recalling Snape through the years. Snape schoolchildren produced a wonderful display of artwork, depicting the Queen throughout her life.
Guests feasted from the wonderful selection of food all brought along by village residents, seated at the banquet table, wearing jubilee crowns and waving flags. All was pictured from above by a drone, which decided it needed to back up its software just as it was about to take off and halted the proceedings. However it gave us more time to form a "7 0" shape to be pictured from above.
Having filled our bellies full from all the homemade cakes, bakes and strawberries (two very kind Snape ladies hulled 50 punnets of strawberries – THANK YOU) and drunk many many cups of tea and coffee (thank you to the ladies and gentlemen in the kitchen), it was time for the prize giving to take place. Competitions for adults and children included decorated cake, fun Snape photograph (who else had spotted the two Rhea birds walking though the village and the two tortoises enjoying their own feast in Snape Churchyard)?
Other competitions were fun Snape painting, Queens posy of flowers and best crown. Children Eden Abbott, Harriet Thurston-Wright and Olive Matthews were presented with 1st, 2nd & 3rd place rosettes and prizes. Well done to all the adults and children who entered the competitions, it was great to see such unique creativity by the residents of Snape. Thanks to Robin Alderson who did a splendid job of the judging, a difficult task as the entries were all so delightful.
As the tea party was drawn to a close, we enjoyed a singalong with 5 in a Bar, ending with singing the National Anthem, then the toastmaster lead us into THREE BIG JUBILEE CHEERS for the Queen and then another three cheers for the village.
We hope that everyone will agree that Snape had a wonderful time celebrating the Queens Platinum Jubilee. It involved a lot of hard work and pulling together to produce such a wonderful celebration. It was so well worth it and to see the village really come together after all that we have been through over the past two years.
We are so happy and proud of the great team of helpers who helped to organise and plan such a wonderful event, A MILLION HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, Mel Thurston and Mary James.
Sorry for using the work WONDERFUL so many times,
but it truly was a WONDERFUL CELEBRATION.
So lovely to see that there is still a great village spirit here in Snape.