Press Release, Jubilee Picnic in the Park
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The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022
Jubilee Picnic In The Park & Ornamental Gardens Renaming Ceremony, Horley Recreation Ground
June 2022
In February this year, Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
Horley Town Council is delighted to have participated in the momentous celebrations to mark The Queen’s historic reign by hosting a ‘Big Jubilee Picnic’ event at Horley Recreation Ground in association with the Café Pavilion operator, ‘The Farmyard Kitchen’, on Saturday, 4 June 2022.
The event began at noon and Town Councillors were delighted to see so many residents and visitors arrive at the park to enjoy a fun day picnic with their families and friends and to join in all the festivities, entertainment and hospitality on offer. Town Mayor, Cllr Samantha Marshall was joined by her Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Hannah Avery to mingle amongst the crowd and hand out light snacks and cupcakes, courtesy of the Town Council, along with gift bags for fancy dress winners and colouring activities and treats for the younger children to enjoy.
Additionally, Town Councillors were very honoured to be joined by the MP for East Surrey, Claire Coutinho and the Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr Frank Kelly. At 2.00pm, an official ceremony was held in the ornamental gardens, a tranquil open space within the six-acre public park provided for people to self-reflect and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The Town Council had previously participated in The Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and it had further officially sought prior permission to rename the ornamental gardens to ‘The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Gardens’.
The renaming ceremony was officiated by Cllr Samantha Marshall who welcomed everyone present to be part of such a prestigious event to mark The Queen’s 70 years as Monarch. During her meaningful address she said “I am honoured to unveil the official new plaque entitled ‘The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Gardens’ next to this lovely Cherry tree and for the Town Council to have done its part to enhance our environment by planting this tree during the official planting season” and a round of applause followed.
On being invited to make her own verbal address, local MP, Claire Coutinho, gave a heart-warming delivery by saying ”I always look forward to visiting Horley and I am delighted to be present at the renaming of the ornamental gardens in honour of our Queen. A huge amount of fun has been created by some very special people who decided to make their events and neighbourhood street parties a joy for all local residents.”
The proceedings followed with a speech from Reigate & Banstead Borough Mayor, Cllr Frank Kelly who thanked Horley Town Council for the invitation and everyone present for attending. He said that as a “former Horley resident and student, it was always lovely to return home”. The Platinum Jubilee celebrations had begun with the amazing scenes on The Mall following the Trooping the Colour and with all the Big Jubilee Lunches taking place, giving the opportunity to reflect on the past and look to the future.”
Cllr Samantha Marshall, accompanied by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Hannah Avery, concluded the renaming ceremony by thanking everyone present for making such an historic, celebratory event so very special for Horley in so many ways and for all the help and support received from named community groups and volunteers. She extended a note of thanks to the Café Operator ‘The Farmyard Kitchen’ for supporting the Town Council in the detailed organisational plans and for the wonderful hospitality and delicious cuisine they always have on offer in such welcoming surroundings. She further applauded the talented music students from Reigate College for providing live music and fun for the young children with inflatable bouncy castles, kindly arranged by The Farmyard Kitchen.
In summing up, she said “I am most grateful to Claire and to Frank for taking time out from their very busy schedules to join us today and to the wonderful Horley community which, as always, demonstrate such meaningful support with a strong community spirit and steadfast approach to always strive to make our town the very best it can be. I would also like to thank our parks contractors for their help and to my fellow Councillors and dedicated staff for their huge support in making this wonderful event a reality and for all their hard work and commitment throughout. I hope that you will all enjoy the remainder of the day and thank you all for joining in this special event to mark the Platinum Jubilee this year.”
Finally, the Town Council would like to congratulate the Horley community, both residents and visitors, for all the wonderful events and street parties held over the Platinum Jubilee weekend to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council for holding its event in Reigate’s Priory Park along with the ceremonial lighting of the beacon in recognition of The Queen’s long and dedicated service.
ENDS
