Rain fails to dampen spirits as jubilee parties continue

Relentless rain failed to dampen the spirits of determined party-goers out to toast the Diamond Jubilee. LAURA BLYTH, LISA WRIGHT and CRAIG HUGHES report:

Great British spirit shone through the clouds and persistent rain across the Midlands as thousands of revellers rallied to ensure Diamond Jubilee events were a huge success.

Event organisers moved their celebrations indoors when the heavens opened up, while others deployed marquees and gazebos to protect revellers out to toast the Queen's magnificent milestone.

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As the rain battered down yesterday hundreds of people at an outdoor Big Jubilee Lunch at Staffordshire's Lichfield Cathedral went inside the historic building to celebrate there instead.

And while some events fell victim to the unseasonal downpour, street party organisers across Cannock, Stafford, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall ploughed on.

Many erected gazebos and fired-up portable heaters to keep party-goers warm and dry, while others simply ignored the rain.

Meanwhile, others rallied together and rushed to move their celebrations indoors, determined not to be beaten by the wet weather.

Staff at world famous Midland rose grower David Austin Roses spoke of their pride after decorating the Royal Barge for yesterday's flotilla in London.

The Albrighton company supplied the barge with 2,500 cut roses and 60 potted roses.

Cheryl Fellows-Bennett plant centre manager, said: "We are proud and honoured."

More than 100 people attended a celebration in Manderston Close, Dudley, yesterday.

Expecting a downpour, organisers pitched six gazebos to protect party-goers. Railway health and safety manager, Stuart Williams, aged 40, who had helped to organise the event, said: "We wanted the party to go ahead whatever the weather. It's a great way for everybody to get to know each other and have a good chat."

Residents, in Greenwood Park, Aldridge, Walsall, also put up marquees and gazebos to ensure their street party could go-ahead.

Mother-of-two Lynn Powell, aged 44, helped to organise the event, which included quizzes, fancy dress, a penalty shoot out, raffle and barbecue.

She said: "We had been preparing since February for bad weather. It didn't have an effect as everybody came out and it was fantastic.

"People just wanted to celebrate the Queen and the jubilee with family and friends. It was been fantastic."

In Staffordshire, singers, parades and a trail of Union Flags marked the Diamond Jubilee across the county.

Hundreds attended the Big Jubilee Lunch at Lichfield Cathedral yesterday although the weather ensured families were forced to stay inside.

However, they were treated to performances from a range of musicians and morris dancing.

The Museum of Cannock Chase, in Hednesford, organised arts and craft workshops including a balloon modeller and face painter to keep young revellers occupied.

A street party was held in Wolverhampton Road, Cannock, with red, white and blue throughout with many wearing patriotic hats and flags.

There were also activities organised at pubs including the Shrewsbury Arms in Eastgate Street, Stafford.

Gazebos were put up to keep families dry from the rain for a barbecue, face painting sessions and a motor bike display.

Debbie Howe, licensee of the pub, said: "I think we would have had a lot more if it had been better weather but everyone who turned up had a good time."

In Wolverhampton, some events were affected by the wet weather, with outdoor activities at Wightwick Manor being moved inside.

Outdoor games and picnics fell victim to the rain at the popular tourist attraction. But Lynn Hawthorne, from the site, said visitors still turned out in their numbers for the jubilee party yesterday. She said: "We had musical entertainment, a craft fair outside under a marquee and a Punch and Judy show for the children.

"We had to have a bit of a rejiggle because of the rain but people still seemed in high spirits."

Elsewhere, there were live performances of dance and drama at Bilston Town Hall yesterday at a Big Jubilee Lunch there.

About 200 people went along to enjoy dance and Zumba demonstrations, as well as a John Lennon tribute.

Michael O'Hara, from Gazebo Theatre in Education Company, who organised of the event, said: "Unfortunately a live outdoor Zumba demonstration had to be moved indoors but people still enjoyed it nevertheless." The weather meant a large-scale Big Jubilee Lunch planned in Bradmore had to be scaled down, but 150 people still managed to turn up to enjoy the day.

Organiser Julie Oakley said some activities had had to be cancelled but plenty of events still went ahead.

"Most people still attempted to dress in red, white and blue," she said.

"They did have to put a water-proof on top though."

Meanwhile, umbrellas were deployed by at the Diamond Jubilee-themed Civic Sunday ceremony at St Peter's Collegiate Church in the city centre.

A street party, in Homefield Road, Bilbrook, still went ahead despite the downpours and spirits were high among residents.

Organiser David Howell, aged 41, a technician author, said: "We asked people if they wanted to move the party indoors but they said no."

Ten different ales and a number of ciders were rolled out at a mini beer festival at Pennfields Bowling & Social Club, in Coalway Road, yesterday.

There was also live music at the event, which is also on today.

On Saturday, more than 500 people turned out for a jubilee party at Showell Circus, Low Hill. Youngsters enjoyed a bouncy castle, coconut shy and other outdoor games.

In Sandwell, residents in Riding Close, West Bromwich set-up gazebos and heaters to help keep them warm and dry.

Organiser Brent Cooper, a 52-year-old engineer and father-of-two said: "Living in England, we are used to rain and I think if you planned your life around the weather then you would never get anything done. Everybody wanted to carry on with the party and have a good time.

"We put up the gazebos and heaters so people could shelter from the rain."

More than 60 people also joined in the festivities with a street party, in Haden Road, Tipton. Mother-of-three Nicki Price, aged 36, who helped to organise the event, said: "We all had a great time. The street has had parties for the silver jubilee and golden jubilee so we were just following the tradition."

The rain could not dampen the spirits of residents across Walsall as the jubilee spirit prevailed throughout the weekend.

Scores of families braved the damp and wet conditions to create a sea of red, white and blue as bunting was put out across the borough.

Churches held events including crafts and games at St Martin's Church, in Daffodil Road, which was covered in an array of Union Flags.

Guests were encouraged to bring in their own homemade food for a buffet while they also managed to get a barbecue running.

Shops also got into the spirit such as Review hairdressers on the Turnberry Estate in Bloxwich which had pictures of the Queen, flags, masks and jubilee cakes. Stylist Emma Shoemaker said: "We like a party and we did something similar for the royal wedding. Its been for the clients really and everyone seems uplifted. It is nice to have something positive."

The streets of Dudley and Wyre Forest were awash with red, white and blue as jubilee fever hit home throughout the weekend.

Special church services were being held across the borough to pay tribute to the Queen. A service of thanksgiving was held at Christ Church, in Quarry Bank, followed by a bring and share lunch yesterday.

Hundreds of people turned out to see an array of live bands take to the stage at the Boar's Head pub, in Worcester Street, Kidderminster. The annual rock and roll music event at Stourport's Riverside Meadows, which this year had a jubilee theme, went ahead despite the damp weather but there was a lower turn out than in previous years.

More than 300 people braved the rain and arrived armed with Union Flags and umbrellas to sing-along and dance to the live bands yesterday.

Alison Bakr, who organised the event on behalf of Wyre Forest District Council, said: "I was a reflection of the great British spirit that so many people turned out given the wet, windy and cold weather."

A jubilee jamboree party also wet ahead despite unseasonal weather at Springfield Park in Kidderminster where there was a variety of stalls and entertainment.

But while British spirit shone through and ensured events went ahead, some across Staffordshire and the Black Country did fall victim to the rain.

A party and fun day due to take place in Brunswick Par, in Brunswick Road, Wednesbury was cancelled due the rain. It is due to re-scheduled for two weeks time.