The pretty Exmoor market town of Dulverton was THE place to be for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – there was so much happening throughout the long Bank Holiday Weekend to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 glorious years on the throne.
On Thursday 2nd June, Mrs Christine Dubery, Chairman of the Town Council opened the beautifully restored community pond along Abbot’s Way, with the help of Mrs Mimi Vallas, the town’s oldest and most vibrant resident at the age of 100. Christine gave a warm speech beside the pond, thanking the many volunteers who had transformed it from a soggy overgrown space into a sparkling pond filled with wildlife, pondlife and traditional flowers and bushes. Mimi was delighted to officially open the pond to the public, removing the cover over the new sign with a flourish and a glass of champagne! The Town Council received funding for this excellent project from the Welcome Back Fund, a joint initiative from the UK Government and the EU Regional Development Fund.
On Friday 3rd June, Dulverton celebrated in style with a fabulous Party on the Lawns beside the River Barle, to which residents and visitors were warmly invited. Local residents aged over 75, children and those involved with the Covid Community Support Group were all treated to a wonderful Aftertnoon Tea in a huge marquee festooned with bunting and Union Jack flags. Traditional garden games (including Splat the Rat of course!) were played by all, and everyone enjoyed some fabulous music by local duo Timescale, the remarkable Deane Big Band, the Exmoor Voices and local band Hounds of Oblivion. A wonderful time was had by all in the sunshine.
To complete the celebrations, the Music on the Lawns event was held in the marquee on Sunday 5th June – and the rainy weather didn’t spoil the atmosphere at all! A gin bar kindly provided by Dulverton’s own Exmoor Distillery kept spirits high, along with an incredible Tea Tent filled with locally baked cakes. Musical entertainment was provided by the brilliant Blooming Flutes performing medleys of our favourite tunes, and recent Two Moors Festival Competition Winners delivered exquisite classical music on the cello, clarinet and saxophone. The afternoon concluded with some wonderful songs from the local Take Note Community Choir – and a roaring Dulverton rendition of the National Anthem of course!
The town’s grateful thanks to all the many volunteers and helpers who made these events possible and so much fun; to local businesses Exmoor Distillery and Oggies Music for generously sponsoring the events; and to Arts Council England, Dulverton Town Council and the Rotary Club of Exmoor for their support.