Getting ready for a right royal time (From Witney Gazette)

Getting ready for a right royal time

5:00pm Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Witney By Tom Jennings

WEST Oxfordshire looks set to be coloured red, white and blue as communities prepare for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

A huge programme of events, including dances, festivals and exhibitions, running from May 30 through to June 5 has been planned for towns and villages across the district.

The events will culminate with beacons being lit in The Leys and Witney Rugby Club to form part of a national chain.

Witney Town Council’s Chrissie Curry, chairman of the council’s Jubilee working party, said: “It is going to be massive.

“We are pulling everything out that we can to make sure that it is the biggest event Witney has ever seen. We will have bunting everywhere.”

The town council has co-ordinated events and will be producing a souvenir programme which will be distributed around town from next Saturday.

And that’s only part of it; West Oxfordshire District Council has received 26 applications to close roads for street parties around the district. It looks like being a lively celebration.

The Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson, who is the Queen’s representative in the county, said he was delighted at the way the county was embracing this year’s celebrations.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled. I think it is right that so many people will celebrate such a remarkable anniversary.

“I firmly believe the Jubilee weekend will turn out to be a great celebration for everyone in Oxfordshire, and the chance for a wonderful party.”

WITNEY

EVENTS being staged in the town for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations include: Wednesday, May 30 Tea dance at Langdale Hall from 2pm.

Jive at Langdale Hall from 7.45pm.

Thursday, May 31 Celebration day at The Blake School from 2pm. Street party until 3pm and fete until 6pm.

Friday, June 1 Concert featuring Voice Box Choir at St Mary’s Church from 7.30pm. Tickets available from Greenway Antiques 01993 705026.

Saturday, June 2 Cake demonstrations in Lakeland from 11am.

Live music from the Witchwood School of Rock in the Woolgate all day.

Teddy Bears’ picnic, with games, races and a pig roast, on Church Green from 3pm to 5.30pm Barn dance at St Mary’s Church from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available from the church or Greenway Antiques.

Jive dancing in Langdale Hall from 8pm to midnight Sunday, June 3 Witney Model and Collectors’ Club and Jubilee memorabilia exhibition at Langdale Hall from 10am to 4pm.

Street party in Marriotts Walk from 10am. Live entertainment from 11.30am.

Service of thanksgiving and celebration at St Mary’s Church from 6pm.

Monday, June 4 Cake demonstrations in Lakeland from 11am to 3pm.

Witney Round Table beer festival at St Mary’s Church from 10am to 11pm Carnival and beacon lighting party on The Leys from 7-11pm. The beacon will be lit at 10.15pm. The event will feature beer from Wychwood Brewery, pig roast, children’s rides and a big screen to watch the London ceremony Jubilee barbecue and bonfire at Witney Rugby Club from 7pm until midnight. The beacon will be lit at 10.15pm Tuesday, June 5 Cake demonstrations in Lakeland from 11am to 3pm Exhibition of royal portraits at Langdale Hall from 6pm Events from June 2-5: Windrush Flower Arrangers exhibition in St Mary’s Church.

Exhibition of children’s art at Witney Art Studios.

Exhibition of Jubilee memorabilia at West Oxfordshire Museum and Library.

Jubilee walk around Witney Lake and Country Park.

Events at Cogges Manor Farm, including dog show and traditional fete.

* For more information, contact Witney Town Council on 01993 704379 or visit witney-tc.gov.uk

CARTERTON

CARTERTON hosts a weekend of Diamond Jubilee festivities from June 2-3.

The entertainment will run from 11am to 5pm on both days in Alvescot Road Recreation Ground. It will include a talent show, fashion show, treasure hunt, vintage car display, fun fair, pig roast, electric go-karts and live entertainment and music.

l For more information or to volunteer to help out with events, contact Carterton Town Council on 01993 842156 or visit carterton tc.gov.uk Carterton hosts a weekend of Diamond Jubilee festivities from June 2-3.

The entertainment will run from 11am to 5pm on both days in Alvescot Road Recreation Ground. It will include a talent show, fashion show, treasure hunt, vintage car display, fun fair, pig roast, electric go-karts and live entertainment and music.

* For more information or to volunteer to help out with events, contact Carterton Town Council on 01993 842156 or visit carterton tc.gov.uk

WEST OXFORDSHIRE

*The district council has been notified of Jubilee events at:

Broadwell House, Cassington Village Hall and Green, Chipping Norton Town Square, the Red Lion in Cassington, Churchill Village Green, Combe Village Green and Recreation Hall, Crawley Village, Freeland Village Hall, Grange House in Fulbrook, Great Rollright Village Hall, Long Hanborough Playing Fields, Milton Under Wychwood Village Green, Red Lion in Northmoor, Salford Village Hall, Shipton-under-Wychwood, South Leigh Village Hall, Shipton Down, Tackley Village and Wootton Playing Field.

*Communities have also applied for road closures in:

The Square in Aston; Market Square in Bampton; Sheep Street, Burford; Topside and Lowerside Car Parks, High Street, Cattle Market and part of the A44 in Chipping Norton; Church Road in Church Enstone; the road west of The Green in Combe; The Square and High Street in Eynsham; Main Road in Filkins; The Priory and Dunthrop Road in Heythrop; West Street in Kingham; High Street in Ramsden; the road fronting Shilton Manor in Shilton; Church Lane in Spelsbury; High Street in Standlake; the road east of the village hall in Swinbrook, Davenport Road and Vanner Road in Witney; and Town Square, Market Place and Park Street in Woodstock.