Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Belton

For four days from Thursday June 2nd to Sunday June 5th we celebrated the 70 years of Queen Elizabeth The Second’s reign. The country had never before known a monarch whose reign had lasted so long and nationwide the celebrations included street parties and beacon lighting, pageants and concerts. Here in Belton many houses were decorated with the national flags and red, white and blue bunting.

A  Sunday picnic lunch for families with games was planned for the village by Sam Moscone and friends to be held on the Recreation ground but the variability of the British weather forced a change of plan. Fortunately the Village Hall provided a substitute refuge and with a few hours the hall was festooned with bunting and flags , tables were laid and by 12 o’clock the hall was full of families enjoying their lunches. The highlight was the cake baking competition. There were several entries in both the adult and the children section. The judge was the vicar, Rev. Louise Corke, a job no one envied her.

For four days the village church was gloriously decorated with flowers. Eight decades of the Queen’s reign were each represented by an event in that decade.

The 1950s were represented by the Coronation

The 1960s by the Investiture of the Prince of Wales

The 1970s by the Silver Jubilee

The 1980s by the Fiftieth wedding Anniversary of the Queen and Prince Philip

The 1990s by the eightieth birthday of the Queen

The 2000s by the Golden Jubilee

The 2010s by the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The 2020s by the Platinum jubilee

The arrangements were complimented by appropriate photographs and accessories and the flowers used were locally grown and sustainably sourced. Wild flowers were also incorporated.

Great thanks and respect are due to the skills and creativity of the florists Karen Ingall, Carole Harriman, Margaret Dams, Barbara Aucott and Denise Boulton

In addition a timeline of events and changes in Belton was developed for these eight decades. An amazing collection of old photographs of the village was displayed and caused much interest, amusement and even the odd disagreement as visitors tried to recognise places and buildings from long ago and spot themselves in the pictures. There were many reunions of old friends even long lost relatives! The growth of the village over a short period of time was surprising and well chronicled.

Paula Goodson created the exceptionally interesting history boards . She was assisted by other members of the Belton History Group.

Of course there were the usual delicious cakes and scones baked by the ladies of the church.

Sponsorship for the event was received from the BVCA, Lowwoods  Fabrics and Jamie Mollart and our thanks go to all of them. Below are a selection of photos of the flowers and displays.

All in all a great way to celebrate the Jubilee.

The very first “Sunday People” took place on 1st May – the next event is 3rd July 2022 – so please do join us for an informal time of food and chat. (and sometimes a speaker!)

Prayers for Ukraine

During dates in March, April and June – the Church opened for prayer and reflection for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and all those affected by the conflict.

“We shall remember them” – On 15th October 1923, the Belton war memorial was dedicated by Reverend H.C Deane, Vicar of Belton’s St John the Baptist church. The tablet that was erected was purchased by public subscriptions and holds the names of the Belton men who died in the war.

Each year, the church holds a special service of remembrance and folk from the village have knitted a beautiful array of poppies which is displayed in the church during November.