Entries for the #MemoriesInKAndC competition are coming in fast and we thought we’d share part of one lovely entry we received about The Abingdon Road Diamond Jubilee Street Party.
#MemoriesinKandC - Kensington Party
The Abingdon Road street party we arranged for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 was a very joyous occasion attended by eighteen hundred plus happy people. So many came to celebrate the Queen, have fun with neighbours and help raise money for her chosen charity. The camaraderie was just heart warming and almost tear jerking to see.
Bunting and balloons decorated the streets and partygoers dressed up in Union Jack colours. There were five hundred chairs and tables down the middle of the street, several other streets blocked off with two bouncy castles, coconut shy, candy floss, stalls selling beer and soft drinks, others with champagne and wine, raffles and a prize tree with many generous donations from local businesses, a clown, a magician and face painters. A tear off strip from “ticket” wrist bands entitled partygoers to a hog roast or barbecue.
The evening started with a bang with a young people’s steel band; other music followed including a disco and other live performances. Local “models” trod the catwalk in beautiful 50s dresses with even a Normal Hartnell original. The Fire Brigade brought a fire engine to delight young children. The Mayor came to judge the children’s fancy dress competition, with many young kings and queens dressed splendidly in elaborate royal regalia.
It was a wonderful Kensington affair, with many local businesses contributing and many people helping. Neighbours, hearing about the party, invited family and friends so, despite the large numbers, it was very local. By the next morning everything had been cleared and the streets were clean. But many of those who came are still nostalgic about the Abingdon street party and inquire when we are going to have the next one.
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Abingdon Road Street Party