The children and families enjoyed Friday’s Games Afternoon on Mitre Field, with the Climbing Wall proving a hit for all ages. The generous donation from County Councillor Martyn Ford’s Community Leadership Fund to procure additional games meant there were activities for everyone to try during the Jubilee weekend, including giant Jenga, quoits, dominoes and a coconut shy among others. The

Scouting and Guiding groups have also enjoyed using these games at subsequent section meetings as have Hilton Children’s Football club who borrowed them for their street party event. Thanks to all the Scout leaders and parents who stepped in to help support the event and to the Explorers and Scouts who baked biscuits, served refreshments and supervised the games. Again there were over 300 people at the event.

The sun continued to shine as we set up the stalls and marquees on Saturday for the Village Party (with thanks to Repton School for lending us enough tables and chairs for the afternoon and for contributing generously to the event costs). There was an excellent turnout for the Pied Piper’s parade and we all enjoyed Emily’s music to march to. The WI cake display was truly fit for a queen when the doors opened at 2pm and there was barely a crumb left by 5pm (with thanks to the whole WI team). The Boot Bar and A.Moss Butcher’s hog roast stall both did a roaring trade all afternoon and there were a number of children delighted to find Ye Olde Sweet Stall had made it along to the event – blue candy floss being a particular favourite. We hope there weren’t too many sticky fingerprints on the gorgeous Classic Cars which joined us (and thanks to Howard for co-ordinating such a wonderful display). Thanks to the Burton Model Railway Engineering Society for setting up their incredible model railway for us to ride and to Mr Punch for his wonderful stories. Activity stalls were run by many of our village societies, so thanks to Rainbows, Brownies, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Messy Church, Bell Ringers, Village History Society, British Legion, Repton Festival and to our visiting Anglo Saxon group for ensuring there was fun for everyone throughout the afternoon. Thank you to all our performing groups – the Maypole Dancers led by Wendy and the Tai Chi group led by Lisa for the wonderful entertainment throughout the afternoon. Thanks to Bob, our community police officer, and his team for letting the children ‘drive’ the police cars. Just before 5pm the raffle was drawn and prizes awarded for the Bunting and Baskets competition. Congratulations to the Brooks (1st), the Shorlands (2nd) and the Sanders (3rd) families for their festive jubilee-themed displays. Thanks to many local businesses and individuals for generous donations of raffle prizes.

Overall we think around 800 people came to the Village Party and thanks are due to the Red Lion and Boot for funding the colourful posters which were distributed widely around the local schools and community in the run-up to the Jubilee.

At 7pm the Mitre Field came to life for the final event of the day – a Village Picnic with Boss & Co. There was a lovely atmosphere, with some of the 100+ picnickers snuggling down in duvets and sleeping bags, with others choosing to keep warm dancing to the music!