Beech village celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style, with two very enjoyable and convivial events.
Our Fizz & Chips night on Thursday June 2 featured the Mossley & Bow fish and chip wagon, which was a sell-out with around 90 people enjoying traditional fish and chips accompanied by sparkling wine from the local Hattingley Valley, Jubilee Ale from the Triple fff Brewery in Four Marks, Buckingham Palace gin, or their usual tipple or soft drink.
Several villagers entered fantastic jubilee-themed puddings into the Great Beech Jubilee Bake-off. Our celebrity judges, Jane Freeman-Hunt and Caleb Hallett, tasted them all and described them to the audience in detail, before declaring Carol Kemp’s giant Union Jack-inspired creation topped with strawberries and blueberries the winner based on appearance, relevance to the Jubilee and, of course, taste. The puddings were all then demolished and enjoyed by the assembled crowd! Afterwards, live coverage of the beacon lighting was screened while everyone relaxed and socialised.
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- Jane Freeman-Hunt and her assistant, Caleb, judged the great British puddings
Three days later, around 170 people convened on the Green under grey and threatening skies for the BIG Beech Jubilee lunch. The Farnham Big Band played, Anna sung beautifully, and we enjoyed an amazing buffet prepared by a team of volunteers from the village, including more British traditions – strawberries and cream and cream tea – all washed down with Pimms, beer or wine. Somehow, most people still had room for the very special jubilee cake and accompanying cupcakes, prepared by Tasty Teatime Treats and generously paid for with a grant from our East Hampshire councillor, Tony Costigan. The sky gradually became darker, but spirits remained high and the rain held off until the end of the band’s final number.
Our thanks go to Carol Kemp and an amazing team of around 40 people who made this very memorable weekend happen, including bunting bandits, pudding creators, sandwich makers, quiche cookers, marquee raisers, ticket sellers, event promoters, dish washers, bar stewards, furniture shifters, car park attendants and flower arrangers. Well done, Beech!
