Ryedale celebrates The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Despite the mixed weather, many people threw themselves into the spirit of the event with parties, parades and processions.

Hundreds of people attended an event ‘fit for a Queen’ at Malton and Norton Rugby Club on Monday organised by the We Love Malton team. Di Keal, one of the organisers, said it had been a brilliant day, especially with the sun coming out.

“It was a great afternoon enjoyed by every generation of families from Norton and Malton from tiny tots to grandmas and grandads,” she said.

“Crowds were entertained by Steve the Magician, Ryedale Jazz and singers from Hope Central and the children took part in running races, fancy dress and a fun tug-of-war.

“The We Love Malton organising committee would like to thank our sponsors – Norton Town Council, Hope Central, Watts Quarries and Robsons Motor Services – and the people of Norton and Malton for coming along and making the most of this special day. The towns certainly celebrated Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in true British style.”

St Peter’s Church in Norton held a special service on Sunday and then transformed the aisles for an indoor picnic because of the threat of rain, while on Monday, a 1950s-themed dance was held in the Milton Rooms in Malton Helmsley residents, businesses and organisations joined forces to enable the whole town to celebrate.

A family fun day was held at the town’s sportsfield on Monday attended by more than 400 people, followed by a big Jubilee party in the Market Place on Tuesday.

Town council chairman Coun Martin Vander Weyer said: “Everyone really enjoyed themselves. The Queen is featured in every shop window in the town – Helmsley has really enjoyed the Jubilee with everyone joining in the spirit of the event.”

At Kirkbymoorside, the town’s brass band was a big attraction for residents and tourists, with the town centre being packed to watch a catalogue of events and a procession of more than 40 children taking part in the fancy dress.

Maureen Rolph, one of the organisers, said: “It reminded me of the carnivals Kirkbymoorside used to have. The whole town came together – it was marvellous.”

Pickering’s celebrations included a variety show at the Kirk Theatre, community church service and a tree planting ceremony at Newbridge.

The town’s Jubilee weekend continued yesterday (Tuesday) with a special event in the grounds of Pickering Castle with entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.

Mayor Coun William Oxley said it had been a great weekend.

He said: “Dancing and other events took place in the Market Place on Saturday.

“It was good that our restaurants and shops stayed open for the many people who thronged the town.”

Villages across Ryedale were not left behind with their own celebrations and tributes.

Residents of the twin villages of High and Low Hutton near Malton held a street party with some 150 people present.

Children’s sports were followed by a community lunch held on the road outside the village hall before everyone headed to the landmark oak tree on the village green to toast the Queen when a group photograph of all residents was taken.

Murray Naylor, one of the organisers, said: “The day was a real team effort and everybody joined in – it was a wonderful example of what a community can do.”

• PICKERING’s four days of celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee got underway on Saturday with a Variety Show at the Kirk Theatre and Coronation lunch at the parish hall.

A community church service involving all the town’s churches took place at St Peters and St Paul’s on Sunday, followed by a tree planting ceremony at Newbridge in the afternoon.

The party started in earnest on Monday evening with dancers from Dancetastic and Stape Silver Band performing in the Market Place and ending in a beacon lighting ceremony at 10pm.

On Tuesday, the celebrations took place in the grounds of Pickering’s royal castle, originally built by William the Conqueror.

There was something for everyone during the day including a magic show and teddy bears’ picnic, fancy dress, races and games.

The evening’s entertainment included a line-up of local bands creating a festival atmosphere in the castle’s grounds.

Meanwhile, Helmsley turned red, white and blue over the Jubilee weekend with a raft of activities.

A family fun day was held on Monday at the sports field with children’s fancy dress, junior Olympics, sports tournaments and an all-day barbecue.

The Jubilee concert in London was screened live following by the lighting of a bonfire at 10pm.

On Tuesday a big Jubilee party was held in the Market Place with stalls and craft demonstrations, a treasure hunt, scarecrow trail and competitions including decorated bikes, prams and scooters.

The entertainment again continued into the evening with a family disco at the town hall.

• THE sun came out for the Malton and Norton celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Fun for all the family was on offer at the rugby club on Monday, with everything from magicians to storytellers, face painting to fancy dress, plus live music and vintage tea and cakes.

Local charities were also invited to take part in the event, which was supported by Hope Central who ran children’s games and activities during the day.

Cakes ‘Fit for a Queen’ were also entered into a competition on the day with the winner of the adult cake, Beckie Spiteri, of Norton, and in the children’s section – under five – Kian Easton and over fives – Shannon Williamson.

• VILLAGES across Ryedale got into the swing of the celebrations with entertainment for all ages.

A family fun day was held in the grounds of Hovingham Hall on Monday, while Swinton held a barbecue and fete at its sports centre.

Thornton-le-Dale Playing Field Association held a Jubilee party to raise funds, complete with games and refreshments.

At Snainton, more than 500 people sat down to a buffet tea and the village’s best decorated house competition attracted 18 entries.

Celebrations in Sherburn took place on Sunday with a joint service on the playing field followed by children’s fancy dress, sports, teas and live music.

Residents of Ampleforth joined together for a day of fun events on Monday with open gardens and a scarecrow competition, along with children’s fancy dress.

During the afternoon, games and a fun dog show were held followed by tea in the village hall.

• A JUBILEE celebration to suit all ages was held in Kirkbymoorside on Sunday.

Organised by the town council, Kirkbymoorside Brass Band played in the town centre and led a parade around the town to the sportsfield, where they continued to entertain the crowds. Children enjoyed a variety of activities including a bouncy castle, face painting and races.

The Kirkbymoorside Fire Service wwas in attendance giving everyone the chance to see the fire engine and talk to the firefighters.

A fancy dress competition with a royal or Jubilee theme for children of all ages was also held, with entrants following the brass band in the parade.

Shops owners were also invited to decorate their windows as part of the celebrations, while Kirkbymoorside History Group put together a display in the Memorial Hall linked to the Jubilee and launched their new book, Kirkbymoorside Proudly Presents.