Royal celebrations to be held across the borough

WITH a wave of royal fun arriving this weekend across the Hillingdon borough, Uxbridge Gazette has rounded up ideas of how you could celebrate the Queen’s official birthday in style.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her official 90th birthday on Saturday, with fun arriving at intu Uxbridge from 11am to 4pm.

Shoppers will be able to spot a royal visitor to the centre, as a ‘bouncing busby’ will be hopping around the centre, entertaining shoppers and stopping for pictures.

Fun Kids’ Club activities will also be available, with young visitors joining in a free craft workshop by decorating a giant crown.

The masterpiece will then be displayed on the Lower Mall to commemorate the royal occasion.

Gymophobics in Ruislip Manor are hosting an All Day Tea Party on Friday June 10 and would like to invite ladies to join them on the day to raise lots of money, by enjoying tea and homemade cakes for just £1.

Proceeds will be shared between The British Legion Poppy Appeal and The Michael Sobell Hospice.

Pop down on the day to Gymophobics, 76-78 Victoria Road, Ruislip Manor.

Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell will open the grand raffle at Botwell Summer Fete on Saturday from 11am to 4pm.

Head down to Botwell House Primary School, Botwell Lane, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 2AB for fun, games, dancing, entertainment, food and the chance to win £1,500.

You could also spend the Queen’s birthday at the only pub in the Fuller, Smith and Turner estate that was built the same year the Queen was born – The Angel, in Uxbridge Road, Hayes.

The Grade II listed pub, which has been recently refurbished, will be hosting a joint 90th birthday party for The Queen and the pub, starting at 7pm on Friday with a free barbecue, a royal lookalike and a disco.

The following night, The Angel will also be holding a charity quiz night to raise money for Hillingdon Hospital Radio, starting at 8pm, cost £2 per person, with teams of up to six people.

If you would like to indulge in your cultural side, the Society of Ruislip Artists will be holding an exhibition in The Atrium Gallery, Uxbridge Library, from June 3 to 17 during normal library opening times.

The 4th Ruislip Beaver Scouts invite you for tea and cake to say happy birthday to The Queen on Saturday from 10am until 1pm at The Scout Hut, rear of New Pond Parade, West End Road, Ruislip Gardens (opposite The Bell public house).

Newnham Infant and Nursery School will be celebrating The Queen’s 90th birthday with two days packed full of activities.

Tomorrow (Thursday) morning will see Hillingdon’s mayor John Hensley attending the school to unveil the winner of their design a cake for The Queen competition, with the winning design being made into a real cake.

The mayor will also be planting the last flowers in the school’s union flag flower bed, containing more than 400 plants, which every child in the school has planted.

The schools will then have an outdoor tea party for The Queen on Friday afternoon.

The children will be dressed as royalty, will enjoy a picnic and each class will be doing a dance from one of the decades of The Queen’s life.

Cowley St Laurence CE Primary School is aiming to learn about all things British, with The Great British Picnic on Friday from 1.30pm.

If you are in West Drayton, John McDonnell MP will also be opening St Martin’s Church summer fair and mobile farm on Saturday from 11am to 2:30pm.

It promises to be another great community day for all to enjoy, but this year it also celebrates The Queen’s birthday.

There will be traditional stalls including plants, raffle, cakes and tombola, as well as a barbecue, performances and children’s games.

Admission is 50p for one person or £1 per family.

If you still want more tea parties to honour Her Majesty, there’s one at Ickenham Village Hall, Swakeleys Road Ickenham, on Saturday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Apart from the tea and cake, visitors will be entertained by local choir Love2sing and the mayor and mayoress of Hillingdon will also be joining celebrations.

Tickets are £8 from the committee. Call Vera on 01895 635 224, Chris on 01895 676 900, Pat on 01895 904 942 or Lyn on 01895 852 056.

Funds raised will go to Michael Sobell House in memory of local policeman PC Fred Howard.