Town and village to mark jubilee together (From The Oxford Times)

Town and village to mark jubilee together

5:00pm Wednesday 11th January 2012 in Wantage By Ben Wilkinson

WANTAGE and Grove have united for Queen and country to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee this year.

The town and village were planning separate celebrations to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne, but decided to work together to create a bigger three-day event for residents.

Wantage Town Council, Grove Parish Council, businesses, groups, and volunteers have formed a committee to orchestrate the June celebrations.

Grove Parish Council chairman Frank Parnell said: “Historically there has always been quite a lot of people wanting to keep separate identities rather than merge, but in events like this you need to come together.”

The festivities will begin with a fun day in Wantage’s Manor Road Memorial Park on Saturday, June 2, and the Market Place will be closed on Sunday, June 3, as residents sit down to a ‘Great Lunch’ .

There will also be a day of sporting entertainment with fireworks at Grove Recreation Ground off Cane Lane on Monday, June 4.

Lisa Auchinvole, manager of tfd health and fitness club in Grove and a Jubilee committee member, said: “It would be crazy not to co-operate and bring Wantage and Grove together as a community. Instead of having two smaller events we thought we should have a big event that the whole community can go to.”

The three-day event will also feature stalls, demonstrations, crafts, games, floats, parades, and refreshments, and the committee is looking for groups to get involved.

Chris McCarthy, chairman of Grove Rugby Club, which is also involved, said: “We are pleased to see so many local groups, clubs, individuals and small business owners showing an interest in being involved.

“We all want the celebrations to offer something for everyone to make people proud of where we live”.

Mayor of Wantage Charlotte Dickson added: “We are confident that the people of Wantage and Grove want and deserve celebrations they will remember for years to come. Everyone who wants to be involved can be.”

For more details and to get involved, see wagjubilee.co.uk