The party spirit reigns supreme (From The Oxford Times)
When It Happens Panel Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email
The party spirit reigns supreme
9:00am Monday 4th June 2012 in Diamond Jubilee
By Andrew Ffrench, covering Didcot and Wallingford. Call me on 01865 425425
Sarah Martin, front, leads her tug of war team at Aristotle Lane Picture: OX52206 Ric Mellis
JUBILEE joy spread across Oxford as hundreds of partygoers failed to let the wet weather dampen their spirits.
Trestle tables and bunting stretched across dozens of city streets as neighbours shared sandwiches, cake, strawberries and fizz to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Residents in Crotch Crescent, Marston, gathered for a Royal street party for the second time in two years.
They got together last year for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in April.
About 100 residents gathered yesterday to share food and take part in a cake-making competition judged by Deputy Lord Mayor Mohammed Abbasi.
Crotch Crescent resident Amanda Kerr, 36, a PhD student at Oxford University, was at the party with her two children Isabella Goff, five, and Mortimer Goff, two.
She said: “I’m originally from Australia and when I’m over there it’s tempting to be a Republican but when I’m living here I support the Queen – she brings stability to the country.”
Sue Firkin, 66, and husband Brian, 72, a former plumber, have lived in Crotch Crescent, since 1969.
Mrs Firkin said: “I remember the party we had for the Silver Jubilee and it’s lovely to do the same again for the Diamond Jubilee.”
Residents in Dene Road, Headington, shrugged off the rain to hold their party from noon to 4pm and held a raffle to raise funds for Sobell House hospice.
Meanwhile royal watcher Margaret Soanes made sure her house was the best dressed in the street for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Mrs Soanes, 68, covered her terraced home in Dynham Place, Headington, with bunting and Union Jack flags.
The mum-of-four, who has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, said: “I only spent about £20 on flags and bunting because I still had some left over from Charles and Diana’s wedding.”
Mazz Image, who organised a party in Stile Road, Headington, said the bad weather had postponed the party’s start.
But she said: “Come rain, hail or shine we are still going ahead with this party.”
And a large number of people turned out for the All Saints Road street party, including BBC Radio Oxford presenter Bill Heine.
He said: “I think the weather adds to the day. It makes it much more British.
“This is just marvellous and it is what communities are all about.”
Cloudy weather is forecast for today while heavy rain is expected to return tomorrow.
Comments(3)
Geoff Roberts
says...
5:35pm Mon 4 Jun 12
Geoff Roberts
says...
6:10pm Mon 4 Jun 12
Geoff Roberts says...
5:32pm Mon 4 Jun 12
Exactly, where would we be without the Queen, we'd be completely unstable, getting into wars, getting into hundreds of billion pounds worth of national debt, we'd have lots of homeless people, a corrupt government and media, all the wildlife and endangered species in this country would just die if we were allowed to look after the land instead of the crown. The sea bed all around the country would be left to anarchy! Large parts of the country would be in a right mess if it weren't for the Queen. The police force would fall apart and not be able to enforce crime and countries that have an elected head of state would just laugh at us. So raise a glass to Her Majesty - God Save The Queen!