Queen’s 90th birthday, 11 – 12 June 2016

From our royal correspondent…

I am sure that all who attended the Birthday celebrations for the Queen over the weekend very much enjoyed themselves. There seemed to be many happy faces in all age groups. Despite the weather on Sunday, everything went ‘swimmingly’ and there was something for everyone with races, competitions, chatting with friends and just watching on. Ferris and Gower came head to head in an exciting balloon race and pet lovers of the village even learnt at the end of tea that the Queen’s first corgi was called Susan.

It must have been a whole army who blew up the balloons; there were hundreds of them, red, white and blue and afterwards the enterprising young were considering how they might attach notes to these and send them up into the clouds with messages of hope and peace. Don’t know if they had any success but this augurs well for the attitude of the next generation who will see the succeeding monarchies.

A cardboard cut out Queen presided over the tables in the Village Hall and the handing out of 90th birthday cups. What small child, we wonder, will remember that moment? Certainly, many will remember the following entertainment of Queen on Queen by Nicky and Dave …. and brave supporting performers who were well received. Five youngsters rounded off the performance.

The tea was characterised by mounds of sandwiches and gorgeous cakes, orange squash and tea. Special diets were even catered for, by the volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout. Thanks to all of them and a huge thank you to Maureen and Keith Hicks who got the whole occasion and our villages together and masterminded the proceedings. Sibford now has another jewel in the crown of its memory, dutifully kept by its own Sibfords Society. Long live the Sibfords and all who dwell in them!