Jubilee: Revellers pack Corsham High Street (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Jubilee: Revellers pack Corsham High Street

9:40am Tuesday 5th June 2012 in Corsham By Mike Wilkinson, Senior Reporter

More than a hundred Corsham residents brought the town’s High Street to life on Monday with an outdoor party complete with trestle tables, Union bunting and culinary delights.

High Street resident Jenny Spikes, who helped to organised the celebration, said: “What a wonderful atmosphere. People who live cheek by jowel are getting to know each other over some food and drink.

“With every passing drink the tongue becomes looser and we all have a jolly good time together.”

The party followed quickly in the footsteps of a summer fete at the Springfield Recreation Ground on Saturday where the weather held strong for a day of entertainment including a falconry display, a dance performance, games provided by the Ministry of Defence and a performance from groups including the Pound Sound Choir, the Rough Street Jug Band and the jazz band Cool Blues.

Corsham’s very own Olympic torchbearer Matthew Leighton-Fry, who is a groundsman for the town council, quickly became one of the most popular faces at the fete as he showed off his torch, one of only 8,000 in the country. The 50-year-old said: “I was trying to across the field for hours but I didn’t get very far because so many people wanted to meet me and have their photo taken with the torch. I was a bit surprised but it just shows just how much interest there is in this from people.”

Following in the Olympic theme were sports activities on the field, while dogs got in on the act too when a novelty dog show was held.

A juggler, children’s entertainers and sci-fi characters all provided fun for the younger guests of the day, while Corsham Town Council encouraged people to fill a flower bed with red, blue and white plants.

Among the visitors was local MP Duncan Hames, who said: “It is great to see so many people turn up to this event. It doesn’t run every year so we get to enjoy it all the more when it does come around again.”

Military officials showed people how to operate a bomb disposal device. Cllr Pete Anstey, chairman of the town council, which organised the event, said: “It has been good to have the involvement of the military in the event as they are a big part of the town and are very supportive of the community.”

Elsewhere in Corsham, the town’s cricket club held a Jubilee themed barbecue and games on Tuesday while on Sunday the residents of the Katherine Park estate did not let the showers get the better of them with a marquee and even a tent to continue the party in.