Lorraine Gibson takes a look at just some of the right-royal celebrations that took place around our area over the Platinum Jubilee weekend.

A RIGHT ROYAL KNEES-UP: Partying at the Minster, Wimborne

There was great excitement at Kings Park Care Home, Ferndown, as residents and staff created Jubilee-themed decorations and were entertained by musicians.

There was also a visit to St. Mary’s Church for the Jubilee Beacon lighting, a Queen Liz quiz and a big street party, featuring the chef’s fabulous Platinum Jubilee Pudding, which one resident declared was: “The most delicious pudding I have ever had!”
More importantly, it was a time for the whole home to come together to celebrate and reminisce about what the Queen meant to them all.

Sohail Daniel, general manager at the home said: “We’ve had a brilliant day, it has been such fun. Our staff and residents love the Queen, so it has been a real collaborative process – thinking about how we wanted to celebrate, planning activities, decorating the home and creating the party food.
“It was so lovely to be able to invite our friends and family to come and join us for a proper celebration too.”
Resident Pat said: “The Queen is an amazing lady. It is remarkable to think she has been on the throne for 70 years, such an achievement!
“I can remember the Coronation and the street party we had then and this was just as much fun.  We all wanted to say ‘thank you’ for all that the Queen has done for this country.”

Pupils at St John’s First School in Wimborne began the Jubilee celebrations before breaking for half term.
Having spent the day making crowns and enjoying a lunchtime ‘street party’ with neighbouring St John’s pre-school, parents were invited for a show.
The children, wearing red, white and blue, paraded around the playground waving Union Flags and carrying an enormous crown they’d made.
They then gave readings, performed a recorder recital, sang the National Anthem and belted out the church song ‘All Through History’ with new words written by teaching assistant Aly Selby.
A superlative demonstration of Maypole dancing followed.
Headteacher Antonia Dufek said: “Everyone worked really hard to make a great show for the families.
“We’d spent the day making flags and crowns and learning about the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
“Luckily, we had great weather meaning we could have a ‘street party’ lunch.”
St John’s is part of Wimborne Academy Trust and its chief executive Liz West said: “What a wonderful day. Hopefully the children will always remember the Platinum Jubilee and how they marked it at their first school.”

fun and music at the Barrington Centre

fun and music at the Barrington Centre

Of criers, crafts and coronets…

Adorned with bunting and to a full house, the Barrington Centre, Ferndown, celebrated regally, hosting a free tea party for seniors who were entertained by Ferndown Strummers and Poole and Parkstone productions.
Ferndown town crier, Mike Andrews announced the Jubilee Beacon being lit at 9.45pm that evening and the town’s celebrations continued from then.

Wimborne mayor Carol Butter at the street party

The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Councillor Carol Butter, opened the Big Jubilee Lunch on the Sunday.
Lots of people brought their own picnics to join in the celebration and the main road was full. Seating was set up in the town centre and many also got together on the green outside the Minster to enjoy a memorable day that also included entertainment in the Allendale on-stage in the Square.

Town crier at the Jubilee Trail opening and, below right, Stur citizens line up for their Jubilee mugs

Participants enjoyed the Sturminster Village Platinum Jubilee Trail, which was announced by the Wimborne Town Crier.

The Jubilee Bus with Darren Mooney, (left), of Global Brand Communications, Paul Clarke of the Coastal BID (second right) and David Squire and Fiona Harwood of Yellow Buses

A special-branded Jubilee bus entered service and travelled across the conurbation.
Bournemouth Coastal BID and Yellow Buses joined forces to create the eye-catching double-decker, decorated with a Union Flag and promoting trade in Boscombe, Southbourne and Westbourne.
Paul Clarke, Coastal BID chairman, said: “Our Jubilee bus looks superb and we’d like to thank Global Brand Communications for the artwork and Yellow Buses for making it happen.
“Our partnership with Yellow Buses will be ongoing; our joint aim is to get more people visiting our areas by bus.”
David Squire, Yellow Buses MD, said: “This is the latest of our branded buses and passengers love them.
“We’ve been celebrating big national occasions for more than a century and this week’s Platinum Jubilee was one of the biggest.”