Day the nation got out the picnic tables!
NOWHERE does pomp and ceremony like the UK – and the celebrations that accompany the events can take some beating too.
The party atmosphere was in full flow yesterday, with the patriotic mixing with the eccentric at thousands of Coronation street gatherings.
Roads were filled with Union flag bunting and table cloths, while revellers displayed the national emblem in a variety of ways from suits to plastic hats, sunglasses to boppers.
Enterprising cooks even used strawberries and blueberries to recreate the flag on cakes.
Arguably the greatest concentration of loyal subjects was to be found in Richmond, south-west London, where 198 road closures were booked for the weekend – representing an incredible one in five of the capital’s official street parties.
About 10,000 revellers in Morecambe Bay were aiming to smash the record for the longest street party. Some 900 tables were lined up along the promenade – nearly double the record- busting 500 tables laid out for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee last year. Without doubt the smallest party was in Buckinghamshire, where Milton Keynes Model Railway Society created a miniature knees-up, depicting a long row of tables groaning with food on a cobbled street. Members also made a tiny version of the Coronation procession.
One of the most bizarre events was at Bude Sea Pool in Cornwall, where daring paddle boarders enjoyed a cream tea extravaganza on the water.
In a message to all those enjoying themselves, the newly- crowned King and Queen said: ‘Whether this is your first ever Big Lunch or whether it is an annual part of your local calendar, we send our warmest good wishes to each one of you, and all those who will be with you, at what we hope will be a truly enjoyable event for everyone.’
Yesterday’s sunshine no doubt helped to keep the party going and gave us the warmest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching as high as 21C (70F) in Sheffield.
Today is set to be a washout bank holiday with rain, heavy at times, spreading east, followed by heavy showers tomorrow and Wednesday.