Following last years successful celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Greywell once again came together, this time, to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.
The main event was “The Garden Party” on Sunday 7th May which was be held in James and Sally’s garden at Greywell Hill House. We were all delighted that the weather was fine. We believe we had in excess of 140 people which just goes to show Greywellians enjoy a good party!
We had a Jazz band playing as we ate a picnic lunch, with Giant Games, a Treasure Hunt, another Bake Off competition (so we can have cakes to eat!) and we revealed the winner of the Coronation Mug competition.
The winners were presented with prizes by James. Madeline Kear won the best Mug designed by an Adult and Arthur Hutton won the best design in the junior category. We had in total 6 very good entrants. Every group that attended the party received both the adult and junior winning mug. We also put the mugs on sale after the event and the total number of mugs around the village is now 144 with the profit on sales of £71 going to the Friends of St Mary's charity. Big thanks to Susan Sampson for organising the competition.
We had a good selection of entrants in the cake competition. Many thanks to Trish Elgar and Jane Glossop for being judges and tasting them all! The best cake was won by Anita - an Elderflower and Lemon Drizzle; best presentation was won by Julie Large. The Junior winner was Melita Davies-Jones with best presentation by Juliette.
Louise had us all dancing on the lawn with a Giant Zumba. We will also have a Giant Zumba exercise class. Louise will run a session suitable for all - children and adults of all ages.
In the morning, just before the Coronation Church Service, Matthew Bianchi unveiled the King's plaque for the 2nd Lime Tree in Church Meadow about 50 metres along the footpath from the one we planted for the Queen. This 2nd tree will have a plaque placed in front to celebrate the coronation on Sunday at 10.45 before the Coronation Church Service at 11.00.
On the Friday before, Anthony Cowling of Berry Brothers and Rudd ran a Gin & Tonic Tasting. We enjoyed the BBR London Gin, 8 Lands Organic from Speyside Distillery, the award winning No.3 Gin from BBR, finishing off we a Vesper cocktail (made famous in 007 Casino Royal). BBR provided the Gins at a much lower than retail price which enabled us to raise £142 for the Friends of St Mary's Charity.
On Tuesday 16th May, Alex Hutchinson, from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, took us on the postponed guided walk around Greywell Moors. We are hoping to arrange another walk in July which is the peak season for the various orchids that grow on the moor.
And finally a thank you to Hart District Council who offered Greywell Village Hall Committee a coronation grant of £288 to part fund our celebrations and the Village Hall Committee for contributing £1,500 funding. We were also able to raise £213 for the Friends of St Mary's Church.
Richard Cole
on behalf of the Village Hall Committee.
supported by Hart DC