Bredgar Celebrates The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

On Sunday 5th June 2022 from 12:30 until 3:30pm the villagers of Bredgar celebrated the The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by attending a bring-your-own picnic party that took place in the village hall, church and school grounds. A section of Bexon Lane was closed from Rosebery to the junction with The Street to ensure people could move around safely. The picnic was formally started at 1:00pm when everyone stood up to join in as the live band Loose Change played the National Anthem “God Save the Queen”. Due to the risk of thunderstorms during the afternoon the picnic took place in a packed village hall. Local singer Kevin Corden provided the entertainment as the serious eating and socialising took place. In addition to the picnic that people brought for themselves, further sandwiches, cakes and other refreshments were provided. A bar provided by The Sun Inn were on hand for all. After the picnic, Loose Change returned to the stage and performed live for the duration of the event.

There were a number of activities running throughout the day. These included a vintage and classic car display in the village hall car park showcasing cars owned by local people, face painting, crown making and a treasure hunt around the church grounds with lucky dip gifts. The souvenir gifts were created by local business TrugShop, with many made from reclaimed wood from the old organ at St John the Baptist Church. The entries into a cake competition were on display in the village hall and eaten, after being judged by the Rev. Paula Jardine-Rose,Curate of Tunstall and Bredgar Benefice. In Bredgar church there was an art exhibition, judged by Emily Cooper, which included many entries from pupils of Bredgar School and a local history display and video presentation about the coronation in Bredgar by the Parish Council and History Society. The Bredgar Community Choir sang in a very busy church and followed that up with a singing workshop.

At 4:00pm there was an official opening of the Jubilee Orchard in Hinkins Croft, Silver Street. The orchard contains 12 different heritage apple trees that were planted earlier in the year and will be kept as a tranquil place in which residents may remember their loved ones in the coming years.

Activities were rounded off in the church with Evensong and refreshments in the evening, followed by a quarter peal of the bells at 19:32.

A few pictures of the event on Sunday can be seen here.

The entries to the Art Competition and the History Display boards are still available to be viewed on Wednesday 8th and Friday 10th June from 11-3pm. The History Display can also be viewed online here. The History Presentation / Video may be shown at the next History Society meeting.

The Bredgar event was organised by a Jubilee Committee led by Bredgar Amateur Dramatics, with members from other village groups, including Bredgar Church, Community Choir, History Society and the Parish Council. Much of the funding for the event was provided by Swale Borough Council following a successful application to their Jubilee Grant Fund.