Celebrations in Curry Rivel on Saturday 30 April 2011 to mark the Royal Wedding the previous day were enjoyed by around 500 villagers of all ages on a warm Spring day.

Well organised by the Parish Council, the events even made a profit, so that there was no call on Parish funds. Organiser Cllr Steve Beney said “I was extremely pleased with how it all went.  Numbers exceeded expectations.  I think that we achieved our aim of engendering community spirit, not only by participating in the events, but in their planning and preparation.  All the members of the Parish Council were involved, but we were also fantastically well supported by many organisations, families and individuals in the village, too many to mention here.”

Steve went on “Well, I suppose the only disappointment was the lunch for the older members of the community in a marquee on Westfield.  Only 26 attended, but we had hoped for up to 50.  A pity really, as a lot of work went into it, the lunch was delicious and the entertainment was excellent by the Curry Rivel Entertainers and the two opera singers.”  (Editor:  See ‘Letters to the Editor’ on page X.)

“I was absolutely delighted by the children’s party on Westfield, as twice as many attended as I had expected, probably because of the good weather.  There were 18 different games for the children, as well as boys versus girls Tug-of-War, and Union Jack ‘goody boxes’ to take home.  I am particularly grateful to the Haines Family, who did a terrific job doing the food, organising those ‘goody boxes’ and the games.”

“However, it was the evening event at the cricket ground that exceeded all expectations.  There was a great atmosphere and a huge turnout.  In fact, Sean Briffett said he could have done with two pigs for the ‘Hog Roast’!  The bar didn’t run out of beer and the band ‘Rhythm Room’ was brilliant.”

“Overall we made a sizeable profit with the evening function paying for the other two events.  Some of that money will now be donated to the Cricket Club, the Village Hall and those other organisations that helped us.  Then I hope that some money will be set aside for start-up costs for another event next year, possibly to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in early June.”

Well done everybody involved in these recent celebrations, particularly the Parish Council for having the initiative and then so successfully implementing their ideas. It was a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable village day for all of us who attended any of the events.  Let’s hope that, as a community, we do it again next year, but this time bigger and even better!

More photos in the gallery!