A happy and glorious salute to Her Majesty
‘GOD save our gracious Queen, long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen.’
That was a patriotic chant that echoed throughout Fort Cumberland in Eastney as military veterans and their families gathered to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The festivities, staged by forces charity Forgotten Veterans UK, was kicked off with a passionate rendition of the National Anthem in honour of Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
Scores of people attended the action inside the historic fort – which is the home of the charity.
Retired Royal Engineer and charity founder, Gary Weaving, organised the jubilee bash to commemorate the Queen’s historic reign.
The patriotic 42-year-old was full of pride for the monarchy and said: ‘From behalf of all the armed forces community we would like to thank Her Majesty for such a wonderful reign. She is the lady that puts the “Great” in Great Britain.
‘It is absolutely superb that she has made it to the 70 mark.’
The fort was decked in red, white and blue – as families celebrated with games and music.
The patriotic party was attended by Portsmouth’s new lord mayor, Councillor Hugh Mason and lady mayoress, Marie Costa.
Cllr Mason praised the veterans in attendance for the military service – and the charity for all it does to help the forces community.
He said: ‘We started here first because these people are important. They really are.
‘These people have given somuchtothiscountryandso many of them have got problems which have arisen from their service and we must not forget them.’
Elsewhere thousands of people spilled out onto streets across Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham and Havant to celebrate the jubilee.
A right royal knees up was the order of the day for residents in Herbert Road, Southsea.
Neighbours poured out from their homes to tuck into a stunning lunch in the middle of the street.
The road was adorned with 288ft bunting, Union flags and even a blow-up model of the Queen’s crown.
Cara Tweedy-Smith, 49, who helped organise jubilee bonanza and was delighted with the turnout.
She added: ‘We organised to do the VE Day but it got cancelled so then we just carried on but two years later.
‘It is good to have the street to ourselves as if it was a long time ago.’
Residents from the Alton Manor Care Home were welcomed to its shindig, which featured a bake off-style cake competition, live music and family activities.
Craly Barwick, 35, said: ‘It is really lovely for the community to come together and celebrate.
‘I am really pleased that the care home has come out and there are people here that we wouldn’t have usually met.’
Elsewhere, hundreds of people attended a community event at Hayling Park.
Staged by the team from Hayling Island Community Centre, the action saw live music and family games.
Tina Lambert, who is part of the team that helped stage it, said: It’s been absolutely phenomenal.