A Royal Celebration!

“I greatly admire Her Majesty the Queen. She has my utmost respect for the stressful and difficult
work that she does. She comes up trumps. She masters all the challenges and is so regal.”
– Old Rectory resident

In what was one of our first major events following the Covid-19 outbreak, on Friday 3rd June, The Old Rectory
welcomed a total of 95 people – including extended family members – who gathered in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – a unique anniversary in British history.

The occasion was officially opened by our manager, Harriet Sugdon, who gave an informal yet informative speech chronicling the life and times of Queen Elizabeth, before welcoming guests and performers alike.
Hosted in our beautiful, landscaped gardens, guests were treated to a lavish afternoon tea that included a
Champagne cocktail, royal-themed cakes, and many classic British dishes with several of the Queen’s personal
favourites featured among them.

Over the course of the afternoon, it was lovely to see so many people come together again, bringing the
smiles back to people’s faces after two years of near isolation. Drinks and conversation flowed freely,
and light-heartedness filled the air as jazz / swing vocalist Duncan Allen delivered a flawless performance of sophistication and style with a set that featured many of the Queen’s favourite songs: George Formby’s Leaning on a Lamp Post, and well-known hymns Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven and The Lord is My Shepherd, among many others.

“The event was such fun; all the decorations and everyone dressed up…it reminded of the same
joy 70 years ago.”
– Old Rectory resident

Finally, a Champagne toast to Her Majesty rounded off what had been a wonderful day!

(N.B. A big “thank-you” to everyone who put so much effort into making it such an enormous success;
especially for our residents – many of whom were able to see their families all together for the first time
in what seems like an eternity.)