Golden weekend

ABOUT 2,000 people turned out to share in the fun of jubilee celebrations at the West Park Estate in Uckfield on Tuesday.

Paula Peters, who chaired the organising committee, said it stopped raining just before the start of a fun run at 11am and didn't start again until 4.30pm. 'We were very lucky and had a wonderful day,' she said.

Final figures have yet to be calculated but it looks as if about 1,800 has been raised for PHAB, the Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied club.

'Everybody is asking us to organise another party like this next year and the entertainers are asking us to book them again because they enjoyed themselves so much. There really was a lovely atmosphere,' said Mrs Peters.

Clown Andy Boscoe was a great hit with his circus performance in the main arena and at a circus workshop held afterwards when visitors were able to try out circus acts.

Other attractions included the Barcombe Scouts Brass Band, Sussex Army Cadets, Ezyfeet Salsa Dancers, Knockhatch falconry display, Army display, Rocks Park Primary School dancers and the Live Band Company. Master of ceremonies was George Saunders.

Maggot racing

Traditional games at the Maresfield fete and street party festivities were enjoyed in the village over the jubilee weekend.

Other attractions at the fete, on Monday, were a jubilee hat competition organised by the history society, maggot racing, pole jousting, barbecue, cream teas, a huge plant stall organised by the conservation group and music from a folk band Crooked Style.

Organiser of the fete Mrs Francesca Margetts said it was a great success with more people than ever attending the annual event.

Mr Michael Wheeler organised a street party on Sunday for members of the Field End Residents Association and associates. People living in Field End, Maple Close and The Paddocks attended and brought along friends and relatives and it was a great success.

It started at 5pm with a children's fancy dress competition and a tea party then rolled into a barbecue and a disco with a firework display at the end.

Eighty adults and 45 children attended. 'It went very, very well indeed. We have all been left with very happy memories,' said Mr Wheeler.

Jubilee celebrations were well attended in Framfield. A marquee was set up on the recreation ground on Sunday for two church services and games were organised for children on Monday afternoon followed by a disco in the evening.

Plans are progressing for trees to be planted in the autumn at Framfield, Blackboys and Palehouse Common to commemorate the jubilee and to provide signs for each village too.

Local historian Pam Allsop is carrying out research to choose appropriate images for each sign. She is well qualified for the task having already written one book about the parish covering all three villages.

Buxted villagers celebrated the jubilee with a street party/picnic at the recreation ground on Tuesday and followed it with a game of stoolball.

'We were very lucky with the weather and had a lot of support,' said organiser Mrs Wendy Dennison. About 150 people attended and the food was served from the pavilion loaned for the event by the football club.

A picnic in the wood was how Hadlow Down residents celebrated the Jubilee on Monday. Many people took picnics to the beautiful setting of Wilderness Wood.

A barbecue of local sausages and burgers was enjoyed.

Jubilee games took place, which all the family could take part in, and there was a prize draw with small prizes for everybody. There was also a best-dressed Jubilee teddy competition with a prize for the best Jubilee bear.

l More reports on Parish Pump pages, 31-33.