Platinum Jubilee: Gosport thrown back to yesteryear as thousands turn out for Stoke Road Community Festival street party
GOSPORT was thrown back to yesteryear as thousands turned out to pay tribute to the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee.
The Stoke Road Community Festival was a roaring success as people flocked to the street like days gone by.
The historical romance was reinforced by the event marking each decade of the Queen’s reign. The White Hart pub at the top of Stoke Road returned to the 1950s with traders representing the changing decades down the street.
Community choirs and local musicians bellowed out songs as people stopped to watch or have a dance.
The event was organised after independent traders and Gosport Voluntary Action (GVA) decided to throw a party to mark 70 years of the Queen being on the throne - and to reconnect the community.
Steve Reid, of Blitz Photography, said: The community has come out in their thousands which just shows the spirit there is here.
‘A lot of the street acts are from Gosport which people have really enjoyed.’
The free party was funded by a £10,000 National Lottery grant that helped pay for the entertainment.
Steve’s wife Georgina added: ‘Gosport has been on a bit of a downer before but we now hope to have other parties like this.’
Kay Hallsworth and Jacky Charman, of GVA, were excited about how successful the party had been.
‘We’ve had comments from people saying “this is like how it used to be in the ‘70s”. People who have not seen each other for ages have been brought together. It’s been very good for mental health,’ Jacky said.
Kay added: ‘It’s brought out the best in Gosport. All the traders came up with their own ideas of what to do in their shop windows.’
Elizabeth Humphries, of community support group The Big Match, was hoping to raise £200 to donate a defibrillator to a school through a tombola. ‘It’s gone well with lots of families out taking part,’ she said.
Mike Hogan, of Bathrooms of Pebbles, said: ‘It’s been fantastic to see so many people in the street.’
SEE ALSO: Live updates of street parties
Sisters Rosalynd Anderson and Doreen Sparkes, 65 and 69 respectively, were dressed as Mario and Luigi from computer characters Super Mario Brothers. ‘It’s been brilliant fun and is beautiful to see the street like this,’ they said.