DISTRICT NEWS: THURCROFT

THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE COMMUNITY GROUP: Never before and probably never again will a monarch reign for 70 years. When our future community looks back at this historic event they will see that Thurcroft did her majesty proud. Before the organisers are praised and indeed they should be, as all volunteers should, the community should give themselves a pat on the back. These events cannot be successful without the community attending them and over the four fantastic days they have all been very well attended. Thursday started the events with trooping of the colour shown in the Miners Club. There was crafts and games for the children, fancy dress, and disco by Rob Ridler, free hot dogs for all, a bun and drink for children then a tub of sweets as they left. Diane Brown has held raffles for these events and has raised a total of £1,000 so a massive thank you to her and all the shop keepers that had donated the prizes. A quick turnaround was done and the tables were decorated ready for the evening event of a singer and a right royal quiz and Irish Bingo. The winner of the quiz received a £30 voucher from Gray's butchers. Friday was the church service, every seat in the church was taken and more people joined us outside after the service for a cream tea and sandwiches that were provided free by the new owners of The Consort Hotel. A baking competition was held and they were then all cut up and served to residents. The Thurcroft Brass Band played both inside and outside in the gardens, borough councillors Tom and Zach Collingham funded the band. It was a lovely afternoon people asked to help pay for this event so we asked them to make a donation to the church. Saturday was Big Local Gala day where an estimated 1,500 people attended and the field was busy from opening. This was funded by Big Local but the straw for the sandpit was donated by John and Lisa at Sunnybank Farm and Dave Light donated the sand. In the afternoon, Sandra Blockley MBE put on a tea dance in the Welfare Community Hall which was a sell out and again was a fabulous afternoon with a singer and dancing. A buffet was also provided that Sandra and her team of volunteers had done. Although it was raining on Sunday, that didn't put a stop to our planned event of a picnic on The Hub field, the events just had to be scaled down and brought inside. Tables were decorated with red table clothes, hats, flags colouring sheets and crayons which were organised by Zoe Potter. The 300 picnic bags were made up and donated by Greggs and further fund raising added a chocolate bar, drink and lollipops for the children. The fairground on Saturday donated 100 bags of candy floss which again was handed out to the children. The Punch and Judy entertainer put on two shows for the children and he also walked around doing his magic for all. Rob Ridler and Paul Mather did the comparing and the disco and dance music. People still came along with their picnics and sat outside under the gazebo's and enjoyed the day. It was a truly special day to end all the events that the community group had worked so hard at over the past five months. The picnic bags that were left from the day were taken to the club to hand out to members that evening. As the planned sports day did not go ahead, organisers have pledged to put a fun sports day on in the school holidays. Throughout the village some resident held their own street parties, decorated their homes and the Veteran's, Thurcroft FC and Parish Council staged their own fun day on Sunday but again due to the weather this had to be moved indoors. This village has been truly amazing for this platinum jubilee occasion and without the volunteers on the day, at the planning stages, booklet delivery, transportation of tables and chairs, the street decorations, fund raisers and those who have made any donation whether large all small, none of this would be possible. Also to the community for coming along of their own free will to make these events so successful, thank you once again Thurcroft.

PARISH COUNCIL: Polling cards are now being delivered for the parish election to be held on Thursday, June 23 to fill the eight vacant seats. Your candidates are Diane Brown, Mena Cawkwell, Martin Cusworth, Martin Howis, Cath McCartan, Tommy Murphy, Phil Owen, Diane Oxley, Joseph Richardson, Richard Ryder, Antony Simmonds, Cath Walker, Yvonne Weakley, Ann West and Anne Winsborough. If you want to try and make changes in the village then please do not waste your vote and go along to the polling station to cast your vote.