Compiled by Lorraine Gibson

We Britons may be obsessed by the weather – for obvious reasons – but we rarely allow it get in the way of a good knees-up, and the Royal Coronation weekend was no exception.

Despite some classic iffy bank holiday weather, especially the unremitting rain on the Saturday – day of the actual crowning of the King – the bunting still bobbed and the flags still fluttered defiantly in honour of the historic occasion.

Throughout Dorset, the official Big Lunch featured large – even if it meant it being consumed under next door’s wonky gazebo – and quiche and Victoria sponges washed down with tea and prosecco seemed the order of the day.

Just as prominent as the partaking, was the giving, as many celebrations doubled up as fundraisers in a nod to the other official coronation project, the Big Help Out, with volunteers, schools, Bournemouth Uni students and local care homes all boosting the coffers of worthy local charities.

The sun did even shine on occasion, but even so, judging by the events on these pages, there were enough smiles (along with umbrellas) around to brighten up even the cloudiest interludes.

Pictures: TOM SCRASE

Fascinating facts about King Charles III were shared by children at Hillside First School during their special Coronation assembly.

Mayor Cllr Simon Gibson, Michael Eaton from St Michael’s Church and a ‘King’s’ guard in a bearskin hat joined the children to hear what they’d discovered while researching the King’s early life, family, education, military service, charity and environmental work.

Proceedings also included the announcement of the winners of a King Charles III portrait competition and everyone who took part received a certificate.

The whole school stood up to sing the National Anthem, marking the start of a day of celebrations that finished with a picnic with families on the school field.

At Colehill First School, fluttering bunting and flags heralded their day. Staff and children dressed in their finest regal outfits and took part in games, a picnic and activities and learning fit for a king, ensuring a right royal day to remember.

Pictures: TOM SCRASE

A rousing mass march past, featuring impeccably-turned-out regimental bands and Scouts, added a sense of royal occasion to Ferndown’s Coronation Big Lunch Party on King George playing fields on Sunday, May 7.

The event, opened by Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Lawrence Wilson, Town Crier Mike Andrews and other councillors, was very well attended and offered endless fun stuff to get involved in, including diablo and stick juggling, Scouting skills and, of course, tea and cakes galore.

The celebrations finished in kingly fashion, with an evening firework display that could be heard all over Ferndown.

Question: What happens when events management students from Bournemouth University stage a Coronation-themed quiz?

Answer: They raise more than £800 for Dorset families affected by cancer.

Jess Hullock, Charlotte Gutman, Eve Siddall, Talia Warner and Georgia Clarke (pictured), who are on the Events Management degree course at BU were tasked with working with a local organisation to arrange a live event as part of their studies.

They approached Dorset Cancer Care Foundation – DCCF – for permission to hold a Coronation-themed quiz on its behalf.

“Every one of us in the group has had at least one family member who has been affected by cancer,” said Jess.

“And despite it being a small charity, it fundraises tirelessly to help hundreds of Dorset cancer patients each year.”

Since it was founded in 2012, DCCF supporters have helped raise more than £640,000 for local families struggling because of cancer.

The quiz was at O’Neill’s pub in Old Christchurch Road, where the students created a celebratory vibe with union flags and bunting and held a raffle for prizes they secured from local businesses.

“We wanted to make sure we could raise as much money as possible to help as many people as we could,” Jess explained. “The quiz was a huge success, with 65 attendees
and we want to thank everyone who came and took part, and also O’Neill’s for allowing us to hold our event at their great location.”

In the end, team ‘11 Alma Road and Co’ were crowned winners and £811.50 was raised for DCCF.

Eve Went, one of the charity’s founders said: “This is the second time that BU students have chosen us as the benefactor for one of their great events and we are immensely grateful.”

To mark the occasion of the coronation a local elderly care provider arranged stylish parties and activities for its residents.

At Care South’s Fairlawn home in Ferndown, they watched the ceremony on TV while sipping fizz and nibbling on cordon bleu canapés, and on the Sunday heard a unique performance by its residents’ choir.

One Fairlawn music fan said: “It never fails to amaze me how talented my friends at the home are. I sometimes hear them singing when I pass their rooms. When you bring all those voices together it’s really moving.”

Weekend activities also unfolded at Wickmeads in Tuckton with a street-party-style lunch and activities while watching the coronation.

On the Sunday singers performed ahead of a buffet with friends and family and on the Monday it was refreshments and games morning.

At Poole’s Elizabeth House, right, a plaque was unveiled by the Mayor and Mayoress of Poole, Cllr & Mrs Tony Trent, a permanent reminder of the coronation and the party – with cake and a barbecue – for residents and families.

The mayor and mayoress also went to Alexandra House, Poole, for their party, where there was lots of reminiscing about the Coronation of 1953.

Castle Dene, Dorset House, St Ives House, and Talbot View – all Dorset-based Care South homes – also took part in the Coronation celebrations with afternoon teas, garden parties, and live entertainment spread across the long weekend.