It featured musical entertainment, picnics on the lawn, music and, of course, a special cake.
The party was opened by Alton mayor Matthew Bayliss, who thanked everyone who had contributed to the event. Special thanks went to Alton Women’s Institute for their financial contribution toward the commemorative mugs, for making the birthday cake, and providing afternoon tea for the town council’s VIP guests, who are aged 90 and older.
“Also for running the cake stall along with the Holybourne WI who organised the children’s cupcake decorating activities,” added Mr Bayliss.
Mr Bayliss also thanked Absolute Healthcare for their donation toward the staging of the event, the musical performers and the Alton churches who have given their time not only on the day but also the many hours that they had spent rehearsing for the event, and to the many charity and community groups who had stalls at the event, including Gilbert White’s House who provided the lawn games.
“Last but not least I would like to thank my fellow town councillors for volunteering today, the town hall staff who have organised the event and the grounds team who have prepared the Gardens for the celebrations,” said the mayor.
He then introduced councillors Bisi Eni-Olotu and Dean Phillips, the entertainment hosts for the afternoon who, in appropriately British attire and with great enthusiasm, escorted the audience on a musical journey through the decades.
First to take the stage were the youngest performers of the afternoon, The Holybourne Singers Young Voices choir singing jazz tunes from the 1920s. Vox Vintage were next, joined by Alton man Michael Twiddy, all dressed in wartime uniforms and performing classics from the 1930s and 1940s.
The town council hosted an afternoon tea in a marquee for residents of Alton and Holybourne aged 90 and over. The tables were decorated in red, white and blue with homemade cakes from the Alton WI and finger sandwiches donated by the Country Kitchen, who were catering from the Horse Box Café on the day.
The mayor spoke individually to each of the invited guests, who also helped him to cut the birthday cake in honour of the Queen.
Later in the afternoon the musical entertainment moved into the Beatles era with student band Nyoka, from Eggar’s School, followed by popular group the Triple Aces who entertained visitors with their energetic rockabilly style.
The Alton Community Choir were next to perform songs from the 1950s and 1960s while the last musical performance of the afternoon was by students from Amery Hill School, whose wind ensemble played a medley of Disney and other well-known family favourites.
Even the occasional heavy downpour didn’t spoil what was a perfect English occasion and in true British resolve the show went on, with many staying to the end to participate in the moving service delivered by the churches of Alton in honour of the Queen.
The service was accompanied by the Salvation Army Band and included a small contingent from the Alton Air Cadets 613 Squadron who formed a guard of honour with their standards.
Invited nonagenarian guests who couldn’t attend the party will receive a commemorative mug and slice of cake to mark the occasion.
Alton Town Council has expressed grateful thanks to the Anna Chaplains of Alton with whom they worked closely on this project and who have kindly offered to deliver the commemorative gifts.
n At the same age as the Queen, Sheila Blackwell has enjoyed many a royal celebration in Alton where she has lived all her life, but the party for the Queen in the Public Gardens was, she said, “one of the best”.
“It was lovely,” she said. “Lovely sandwiches and cakes and a special birthday cake and plenty of tea, and we all sat at two long tables and enjoyed chatting with each other. Later we were all given a celebration mug with the Queen’s picture on it and a slice of cake.
“And outside everyone was enjoying picnics on the grass with the children running about and playing games. It was just a wonderful day and I want to say a big thank you to the town council for organising it and inviting me to the party.”
Sheila was born six days after the Queen, on April 27, 1926, one of 10 children.
“I was born above my father’s shop, Tricky’s Stores on Market Street in Alton.
“He was Eric Trickey and before the war he ran a hardware shop until the Second World War and then, because we couldn’t get the supplies, he sold a range of goods. He had served in the First World War and was a wonderful dad, and my mother, Kate, was a wonderful mum, she always kept us neat and tidy and ran the household. It was a wonderful childhood.”
Sheila continued: “I can recall the horses, cows and bullocks being tied to the railings near where the Herald office is in the Market Square on market day and the place was packed and the pubs did a roaring trade. In September, the gypsies came to sell their horses and they used to try and barter them and often fights broke out.”
As a child, Sheila recalled the celebrations for national events held in Alton such as George V’s silver jubilee, the coronation of George VI and the end of the Second World War.
“We used to have street parties and dancing on The Butts and everyone joined in,” she laughed.
Sheila was called up during the Second World War.
“And I was asked to go to Adlams Bakery in the town to drive their van but I also used to do the deliveries all over the town and the countryside with a horse and cart, and I had a marvellous time.”
“Through the years the schools used to order their celebration mugs for national events from our shop, where I worked for 35 years, and of course I was given one each time so it is nice (on Sunday) to have a new mug to add to my collection,” she added.
Sheila, who has been widowed twice – she met her second husband Henry at the Health and Fitness Club at Alton Sports Centre – added: “I think the party for the Queen was one of the best celebrations the town has held.”
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