Villagers hold river pageant (From Cotswold Journal)

Villagers hold river pageant

3:10pm Thursday 7th June 2012 in News By Freya Leng

BOURTON enjoyed an action-packed weekend of events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – and even recreated the historic Thames river pageant.

Despite the torrential downpours on Sunday, the sell-out picnic in the park and Queen tribute concert at the Cotswold School still went ahead with about 700 people turning out.

People braved the elements, sat under gazebos and enjoyed the music, leaving organisers pleased with the turnout.

Councillor Richard Johnes, chairman of the jubilee committee, said: “The people who went really made the most of it and were there even though they got wet.

Once it had finished there were still lots of gazebos and lots of people celebrating.”

The sun came out on Monday for the street party and the popular football in the river event, a children’s teddy bear’s picnic tea party in Jubilee Orchard and a fancy dress procession with dancers, a tractor and a number of floats.

Bourton held its own version of the Queen’s flotilla with 85 model boats made by local businesses, residents and visitors which floated down the river Windrush.

Live bands played all day and well into the evening when the village’s jubilee beacon was lit.

“It was a really nice atmosphere and the kids had a great time,” said Coun Johnes. “People were saying it was one of the best nights they’ve ever had. Monday made up for the rain on Sunday.

It was a really nice day.

“There were a lot of visitors during the day and the village was really busy in the evening.

“People were listening to the music and the bands played for longer than people were expecting.”

Bourton’s celebrations were rounded off on Tuesday with a Diamond Generation tea party at the Royal British Legion Hall organised by the North Cotswold Rotary Club.