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After the successful tree planting this morning

we moved to the Village Hall to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the Queen's rein with a lunch party.

After preparations yesterday the hall is all set and a busy afternoon is in prospect.

Red, white and blue abound.

The food today was provided by everyone who attended, each bringing a plate of either savoury or sweet.

Lyn Furniss (with the apron) and helpers laid out the first course on the tables in the centre of the room.



A magnificent display of home-made food . . .	. . . and it all tasted as good as it looked !

The room was set for 89 places, but extras had to be hastily added,

meaning the attendance was about 90 people for this unique valley event.

Sue Severs chats across the table to Allyson McDermott and friends.

Cath Leck on a table with Judy Hudson, Joan Warren, Laura and Keith Meadley.

Dave Robinson and Alison Edwards on the far side of the table.

Her husband Jonathon has turned to talk to David and Carolyn Gray.

On this side of the hall the youngsters are getting ready for lunch

and maybe a little colouring if the proceedings are a little slow for younger minds.

Before the start, Grace was spoken by Bob Watkins, the retired minister who lives in the valley.

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Lyn checks everything is in place and announces that "lunch is served".

Form an orderly queue . . . there's plenty to go around as everyone has been very generous.



Ann Hayton gives her approval . . .	. . . and Eleanor Ella joins Jonathon and Alison at the table.

Patiently waiting their turn are Hugo and Zoe Thomson . . . they won't have to wait long.

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After everyone had enjoyed their initial feast, it was time to clear the decks and set the second course,

. . . in patriotic colours of course.



Another fabulous spread . . .	. . . no mere trifle	. . . from the kitchens of Loweswater.



If you haven't eaten enough by now there's a third course of cheese . . .	. . . who said that hat was a bit cheesy !

Recorded music from the last seventy years during the lunch was replaced by the skills of the hat wearer !

Ted Furness twinkles the keys with several more famous anthems from the decades.

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The Jubilee also happens to coincide with a local birthday within the valley.

. . . so the 'cutting of the cake' was shared by three people, Betty, Loes and John.

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Betty Coulthard and William Vickers

were both Loweswater pupils who attended school

in this very building (subsequently extended to include this large hall).

A formal handshake, as if they had just met after all these years,

was replaced with a more meaningful embrace

for these two young pupils who had been distant neighbours

within the valley for 70 years or more !

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Time for an official group photo to record the occasion.

Master of ceremonies and the camera was John MacFarlane from Watergate Barn.

Organising over ninety folk was an achievement in itself.

While people were getting organised I managed a few extra photos.

Lets make sure we fill all the gaps . . .

An unofficial group photo . . . on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee.

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Why end the afternoon there . . . the day is still young and the sun is shining . . .



Emma in her high tech walking chair and her mum.	Marion Vickers and Judith Ben, best of friends.



Loes Van Capellen and Joan Warren of Foulsyke.	Time for some celebratory cake for Margie Mawson and Cath Leck.

The weather has come up trumps and allowed us to stay outside this afternoon.

Time to relax after lunch . . .

Before we close there's time for the raffle . . . John and Doreen do the honours.

John, as chairman of the '77 Club, paid thanks to all the people who have made today possible.

It was a combination of the Hall Committee, the 77 Club and the Loweswater Ladies organisations.



A mention to Ingrid Hall and her sister Margaret (Francis) who started the 77 club in the Queen's Silver Jubilee year 1977.	A big thanks to Lyn Furness and her husband Ted who organised and arranged the event today.

The hall is a busy place and must be cleared for a wedding party tomorrow

so it's time to put away the tables, sweep up and for ....... to clear away the balloons.

Bethany, Rebecca, Emily.


	Laura Hamilton and Zander.
Mustn't forget to take the drawings home . . .		. . . at the end of this Jubilee Day.

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