Downpour can't dampen Jubilee celebrations in Ludlow and Tenbury (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Downpour can't dampen Jubilee celebrations in Ludlow and Tenbury

9:34am Wednesday 6th June 2012 in Ludlow

TRADITION was at the heart of Diamond Jubilee celebrations throughout Ludlow and south Shropshire.

But regrettably traditional also ran to the English bank holiday weather.

Despite that, people made thee most of the weekend fesivities which in Ludlow included street entertainers, along with a jubilee market, flower festival in St Laurence’s Church and a full programme of entertainment in the Conference Centre.

The big street party at Rockspring was hastily rejigged as an indoor event – though despite the rain, the fun rides continued outside.

In Knowbury villagers dressed up in 1950s costumes and enjoyed the River pageant on the big screen as part of their celebrations.

On Monday, Lower Corve Street became a dining room as the local residents and businesses had a sit down party in the street.

The day ended with the lighting of the beacon and fireworks on Whitcliffe Common.

On Tuesday events continued as the jubilee came to a close but didn’t run out of steam as a number of vintage engines made their way to the Conference Centre.

In Tenbury an outdoor Sunday picnic on the Burgage and family entertainment were the biggest casualties of the weather.

But the organisers put all the festivities back 24 hours to a much brighter Monday.

Meanwhile, the celebrations got off to a mouthwatering start with the combined Teme Valley Food Fair and Beer Festival.

Local food and drink at its best helped people to keep the damp and chill at bay as the combined event proved a success despite the less than typical June conditions.

All of the activities planned for Sunday went ahead on Monday.

There was also an afternoon of sport and games followed in the evening with the concert from Buckingham Palace broadcast on big screens.

Finally came the lighting of the beacon where the heat and light from the fire helped to brighten and warm things up on an evening where scarves were more in order than shorts.

à Geoffrey and Wendy Jones from St Michael’s were on the river for seven hours on Sunday, after winning a competition in a national newspaper.

Their boat followed the procession down the river and watched the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh along with other royals.

“It was undertaken with military precision and we did sail past the royal barge and saw the Queen who waved at us,” added Geoffrey.