PRESS RELEASE Picnic in the Park at Woodside – Platinum Jubilee

A first for Lymington & Pennington, a “Picnic in the Park” event held at Woodside Park on Sunday 5th June to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee for the Queen’s 70 years’ service to the Country.

(Photo credit of Helen Renouf)

The event was officially opened by Reverend Peter Salisbury, with an open-air thanksgiving service to the Queen, where hymns were sung and prayers offered, with the National Anthem being sung by all to mark the occasion.

Then came dancing by the students of New Forest Academy of Dance, organised by Principal, Kayleigh Sargeant, who arranged an outstanding choreographed display to music in front of the packed audience.

Music was played throughout the event by the following bands – CODA Ukulele Band, Empty Frets, Magikat and finally Free-Wheelers, who continued to play throughout the down pour of rain to the dancing crowd at the end of the event.

The children’s fun races, organized by Berni Clayton-Smith saw a huge number of local children enter to race in our childhood favourite races – Three legged, Egg & Spoon, Sack, Space Hooper, Skipping Rope and Hockey Stick & Cones. All winners received a jubilee medal.

Just before the rain came, the Dog Show had begun with 180 dogs being entered for an array of classes ranging from Best Pedigree to Dog You Would Like to Take Home. This was hugely popular and there were crowds 3 people deep watching to get a view of the winners.

An array of Charity & Community Stalls were selling cakes and offered competitions with prizes to be won, with Children’s entertainment & a Treasure Hunt provided by St. Barbes Museum and Olivia Inspires.

The Blue Light services also joined in the fun for the day with a Fire Engine, Lymington Police and the local Coastguards displaying their vehicles, with staff and volunteers talking to the children about what they do.

There were amusements in the way of trampolines, a teacup ride, hook a duck and penalty shoot-out. Lymington Town Football Club had an area that saw over 200 children try their luck at getting a goal. 

Many families brought their own picnics and joined in the relaxed atmosphere on picnic blankets, with some dining under gazebos with tables & chairs. Food & drink stalls were on hand too, with Lymington Community Centre providing traditional jubilee fare in the form of afternoon teas, cakes & sandwiches and jugs of Pimm’s supplied by the Rotary Club of Lymington.

(Photo credit of Helen Renouf)

Amazing raffle prizes, including an all-inclusive week’s stay in Morocco, were on offer to be won. One lucky winner from Pennington will being taking their family away after the winning ticket was pulled with their name.  Other winning ticket numbers can be found on  https://lymingtoncommunity.com/winners-of-queens-jubilee-platinum-raffle-drawn-at-woodside-5th-june/

This successful free event was organised collaboratively by Lymington and Pennington Town Council, Lymington Community Centre and the Rotary Club of Lymington for the local community to come together & enjoy the Platinum celebrations.  All proceeds raised from the selling of raffle tickets, which is in the region of just under £6000, will be evenly distributed to the 2 charities involved, with a third going to Compass Counselling, which is the Town Mayor’s, Councillor James Hoare, chosen charity for this year. Thanks go to everyone who attended, donated to the raffle and contributed. It was an event fit for a Queen.

Comments received about the event were:

It was a glowing success, so many people turned up, had fun with friends and there was a few things (stalls) for them to look around. Would love something like this every year. I was especially impressed with the parking, it was well organised and great fun  THANK YOU to the organiser’s

Absolutely brilliant, fabulous to see so many together with their picnics celebrating

It was brilliant, lots of different members of the community all working together with live music and a variety of fun competitions. Well organised and free to attend... plus the rain nearly stayed away until the end !! 

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