Over 3,000 people turned out to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee last Monday in Peasedown St John.
Jubilee Party in the Park was nine months in the making – with a dedicated team of volunteers behind the scenes planning the historic village event.
Sponsored by Bluebird Care Bath, B&NES Council, Somer Housing, David Wilson Homes, Quartet and Cllr Sarah Bevan through her Initiative Fund, the 7-hour event was held on the Beacon Field.
Jo Davis, the festival’s Stewarding Manager, said: “This was our most successful festival to date. We are very grateful to the people of Peasedown for coming out to support this once in a lifetime occasion
“Our gate stewards counted a record-breaking 3,089 spectators coming in to listen to live music, have a look at the attractions, and try our brand new Peasedown Diamond cider.“
Hosted by Somer Valley FM’s Dom Chambers and Maxine Stride, the event was opened Cllr Rob Appleyard, the Chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council, and included live performances from Richard Inghams Amazing Street Cred Band, Susan Hill School of Dance, FyreFight, Golden Oldies, Steve Robinson, and the Stardust Majorettes.
Other stalls and attractions included a 1950’s style ‘Big Lunch’ Tea Party, the Red Post Beer Tent, ‘Peasedown Through the Ages’ photographic exhibition, the Union Jack merchandise stall, Peasedown Puppets, croquet, The Beacon Hall Tea Dance, hot food, childrens activities, the village-wide crown competition and much more.
Mike Auton, who is part of the organising team and also a Beacon Hall Trustee commented: “What a brilliant day! It felt so good to be part of this community event.
“The activities in Beacon Hall went well, especially the photographic exhibition which saw as many as 400 people coming in to find out about Peasedown’s history – the most visitors we have ever had to a Beacon Hall event.”
Over 50 volunteers took part to help keep the site clean, collect entrance fees on the gates and ensure the event ran smoothly.
Funding is still be collected from stall holders, but organisers believe over £4,000 was raised. All of which will be invested into future events, with some being set aside for the Party in the Park Grant Fund.
One of the most highly anticipated parts of the day was the announcement of the winner of the Sara Holley Community Award. In memory of a popular resident who passed away in 2011, the award recognises unsung heroes who go out of their way to help others.
This year, Joy Gosz was recognised for over 20 years of voluntary work in the community. Event Chairman Nathan Hartley announced the winner along with Sara’s son Scott Holley. Nathan said: “There wasn’t a dry eye on the field when Joy’s name was called out. Since the 1980’s she has played a big role in running social groups in our village.
“Back in the early days she took part in Open House – a support group at Peasedown Youth Centre for people who may have been unemployed, suffering from depression, and any single or young parents.”
“She organised free day trips for local people, outings to the sea side – opportunities that they would never of had otherwise.
Back in the 1990’s she made an appearance on the local TV news as an anti-drug campaigner, and I’ll never forget 10 years ago when she and her neighbours stuck bed sheets in front of their bedroom windows saying ‘save our homes’ in protest against plans to knock down their homes. The campaign worked – the plans were turned down, and their homes saved.”
After taking a few years out of community activism to care for her grandchildren, Joy has now set up a new specialist women’s group – KARMA
Standing for ‘Karing and Reaching Out to Motivate All Women’, the group meets weekly, and in just 6 months has made a huge impact in the community by offering help and support to women who need someone to talk to.
The day was rounded off with a roaring crowd of well over a 1,000 people singing the National Anthem.
To see photos from Jubilee Party in the Park 2012, and to give feedback to the organisers visit www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk
