There were celebrations throughout the parish over the Jubilee weekend, as communities gathered together to mark 70 years of service by Queen Elizabeth II.

The long weekend started with a Jubilee tea party at St George’s on Thursday with entertainment by the Paris School of Dancing and the Parish Choir, along with memories from the past 70 years, poetry by Debbie Nobbs, and a huge Jubilee tea.

On Friday, Cajun Boogaloo and caller Kris Lawrence led around 50 of us in a barn dance at St Mark’s, and on Saturday, after a Family Fun Morning on Sandy Hill, with traditional games, including a tug of war, St Mark’s was filled with people tucking in to a free lunch provided by Hale Community Centre, with 80 per cent of the food coming from the Community Fridge. Once again there was music, with Roger Sanders on the saxophone and In Accord singing acapella; memorabilia; poetry and a message from the Queen (possibly), brought to us by Rosemary Wisbey; and a slide show with music of Hale in the past created by Elaine Fell. Then it was off to the Hale Rec for a Picnic in the Park with entertainment and teas and ice creams.

On Sunday, which was also the day of Pentecost, the Bishop of Dorking – the Rt Revd Jo Bailey Wells – led an outdoor Songs of Praise at St George’s, and then hurried on to St John’s for an indoor Service of Thanksgiving at St John’s, with the 2nd Farnham (Hale) Scouts, Air Cadets, members of Farnham Heath End School, local councillors and singer and healer Heather Golding. This was followed by a Big Jubilee Lunch with barbecue and a lot of cake, with more music from Roger Sanders and his saxophone quartet.

A huge thank-you to everyone who joined in for a celebration of the reign of a monarch who has served faithfully through good times and bad, and who has always emphasised how her Christian faith has been her constant guide.