Parish News - Cotton Parish

Cotton Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 2012
The two marquees, bar and food tents are up along with the bunting and
flags, just the seating and gazebos to position then go to bed and pray
please, oh please don’t rain.
Monday 4 th June
It’s windy but the forecast is No Rain. The playing field and the hall are
buzzing with helpers, mowers are cutting the grass, cakes arrive, mikes
and amplifiers are tested, suddenly the wind picks up and we lose two
gazebos and as quick as it starts the wind stops, reposition guy ropes, we
are ready.
Three pm and the field is packed as Helen Fraser our official guest of
honour arrives in a vintage Jaguar. She congratulates the village for its
magnificent turnout and set to in choosing a winner in the two age groups
for the royal themed fancy dress. A very proud, upright soldier and a
delightful princess win the lower age group. Henry the eighth and one of
his wives take the older group prize.
On with the races, marshalled with great aplomb by Peter & Katy. Bronze,
silver and gold medals are won all afternoon as the many different races
take place. Those who are less energetic make their way to the hall where
free cream teas are given out by Ann and Barbara’s band of helpers. More
kettles are sought as the two urns can’t keep up with the demand for tea.
Cake and scones disappear as soon as they are put on display. Gill
Nichols entertains the hall with popular songs in her ‘Old Time Music Hall’
style. Children are turning into Union Jack tigers and many other guises as
Lauren and Shelly paint faces all afternoon.
The hog has been on since twelve and now the lamb is lit. The smells of
both drift away on the wind while the beer tent with Karen, Sophie and Jo
is working flat out.
After all the races are finished, the band arrives and sets up, while the 16
and under commemorative medals are handed out.
The evening gets under way with the band playing a selection of numbers
from the sixties onwards. The hog and lamb are prodded and poked and
declared ready to eat. The queue forms and slowly moves forward, the
spit roasts are sliced and handed out by Curtis and Max. Both spits have
now finished and all have been fed
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