On the second day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, hundreds of people across Greater Manchester came out to celebrate with plenty of food, games and bunting.
Streets across Stockport, Romiley and Bury were lined with homemade red, white and blue bunting, as well as flags and banners showing Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. There were also special appearances from the Queen herself, along with Kate Middleton, in Romiley, in the form of mannequins.
In Stockport, the town centre was decorated with bunting all along the shops, and inside Merseyway colourful umbrellas were used to signify the River Goyt as it ran through the shopping centre in a beautiful display. Throughout the four day weekend there will be plenty of games and activities to get involved in - today there was a Spin to Win game, with a prize guaranteed every time.
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Organiser Emma Monks, of Jem Events, said: “It’s great to be able to do something like this and get the community involved. We’re expecting a big turn out.”
Over in Heaton Mersey, one street in particular really got into the spirit of things. Residents had made metres and metres of bunting which stretched the entirety of Furness Grove.
Each house brought out their own tables and chairs, and contributed food including sandwiches and cakes. One resident even created their very own throne out of a coffee table.
They also had their own DJ who provided plenty of music, and they had a craft table for the children. Resident, and organiser, Gaynor Bradburn, said that she thought it would be a great opportunity to bring people together.
She said: “We set up the Resident’s Association in 2019 for things like this so we can all get together - for everyone to meet each other and have a good time.”
Another resident, Audrey, who helped set up the event as part of the Resident’s Association. said: “There's a lot of people we don’t know now because they arrived on the street during COVID, we just want to bring the community together and celebrate our Queen.
“We are going to try and do some hula hoop racing with our adults, which could be fun when they’ve had a few, but really what we wanted to do was get together, have a good dance and let the kids enjoy themselves.
“There’s a lot of elderly people who’ve also come down, they know a lot and they probably remember a lot. We also had our Queen, Sharon, who sat on the throne earlier, it was her 75th birthday, and she said she remembers it all when she was 5. I think it will be a really, really good day.”
The event was funded by Stockport Homes Community funds, along with lots of donations from residents and local businesses. It wasn’t hard to get involved in the party atmosphere and residents enjoyed the celebrations.
Over in Romiley, a huge celebration was taking place along Compstall Road, which was last closed in 1977 for the Silver Jubilee. Hundreds of people turned up to celebrate, with lots dressing up and wearing Union Jack clothing.
Bunting made from a whole manner of different materials stretched the length of the road, handmade by the Romiley WI. Janet Gilbody, of the WI, said she and others had worked tirelessly from January in order to complete the impressive display.
One resident, Josie, who could remember the previous Jubilee said she could recall residents bringing plenty of food, chairs and tables out to join in with the celebrations, but ‘nothing like this’.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “We joked that we didn’t know this many people lived in Romiley.”
Throughout the day there were plenty of activities, from live music, to crafts (including Crown decorating) and even a dog show. There were also plenty of stalls lining the road selling toys and trinkets.
Later on, the Platinum Jubilee Garden was opened, just next to the train station. Four local school children had the honours of unveiling a plaque to commemorate the occasion. They had previously entered and won a competition to design a train, and have each won tickets to wherever they, and their families, wish to go as provided by Northern Rail.
In Didsbury, another Jubilee celebration was taking place, which included a tombola, live music from a choir and homemade cakes. There were lots of stalls including face painting, mask making and flower shops.
In Stretford, at the Railway Club, another party was in full swing. Siobhan Westwood and daughter Amber were celebrating at the Railway Club. Siobhan said: “I’m a big fan of the Royals. It’s great to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee because it’s historical. It’s unlikely any of us will see something like this again.”
Tommy Keyes was celebrating with his family and grandson Kai. Tommy, in a fantastic Union Jack suit, said: “Today is a great chance to recognise the queen and celebrate the day with family.”
Children were given goody bags when they arrived, which contained flags, drinks, and other treats. There’s also bouncy castles, inflatable sumo outfits and a kids entertainer.
Jackie Cosgrave at the Railway Club in Stretford was busy hosting two parties. Jackie, who has run the club for 27 years, said her family have always been big royalists and she was keen to make the most out of today.
Throughout Manchester City Centre, celebrations continued. At Kimpton Clocktower Hotel's Jubilee party, Yemi Bolatiwa and the Soul Carousel performed, and even had some appearances from Drag Queens Anna Phylactic and Narcissa Nightshade.
And in Bury, a Jubilee party at the East Lancashire Railway station took place. It was filled with stalls from local businesses, had plenty of live music, and even train rides.
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