Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Saturday 11th June 1977 - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Saturday 11th June 1977 - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Heralded by a fanfare and bugles and a roll of drums from the St John Ambulance cadet band, the Brockham and Strood Green jubilee procession set off from the Avenue. Despite dark skies and a keen wind the colourful assortment of 14 floats carrying scores of jubilant children was led by two young outriders astride patriotically-painted clown's bicycles, made by Mr Oliver West and painted by Mr John Bevan, both from Strood Green.

Brockham Scouts looked swashbuckling as pirates on their rusty ship "The Scarlet Gnome", Brockham Green Fire Brigade, junior section, clanged along in their tractor-towed engine, while the ecclesiastically-themed Parish Fellowship float, complete with Vicar, communicated with the heavens to hold off the rain for as long as possible. The eye-catching 40-foot monster caterpillar with its giant smiling head bedecked with jubilee regalia and propelled by 15 gents from Brockham Green Bonfire Committee won first place in the parade.

Second equal came Brockham Green Horticultural Society's "Top of the Crops" and Brockham Scouts and Ranger Guides. The top trio all won Jubilee Crowns.

The procession ended up on Brockham Green where Mr Bernard Johnston, Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, resplendent in traditional costume, complete with sword, opened the celebrations.

A real carnival atmosphere defied the weather - there were so many children competing in the sports it became impossible to record the winners. Sixty dozen eggs were thrown at members of Brockham Bonfire Committee in their pillory stocks, while throngs of people enjoyed the side shows from a coconut shy to miniature golf.

Richard Brint & Mike Huggett fend off the eggs!

For aeronautical enthusiasts there were models of helicopters and planes, aircraft remains discovered by Surrey and Sussex Aviation Club and the Rolls Royce of Mr Paul Jameson's monster motor.

As a souvenir of the day every child between the ages of 4 and 12 in Brockham and Strood Green was given a Jubilee mug, the cash coming from a £5 donation from every local businessman, trader and craftsman.

Chairman of the Jubilee Committee, Mr Tony Hines: "No-one turned us down at all; they financed the whole day." He was very satisfied with the day's events: "It was very successful and I'm very pleased. The rain did not really matter - there were about a thousand people there."

The day was rounded off by a barn dance in the Village Hall for 250 hungry revellers. Organisers cooked 300 frankfurters and 100 beef burgers on the Halls small gas stove

Other attractions included an Art Exhibition and sale; a Historical Exhibition; Donkey Rides; a Fortune Teller; a display by Brockham Harness Club; Punch and Judy Show; Tug O' War; and a Grand Raffle.

The celebrations were organised by a number of committees: Finance, headed by Mr Les Copley, organisation of events on the Village Green, by the Ground Committee under Mrs Joan Benns; special events under Mr Eric Simons and Miss Alison Huxley; while Mr Mick Bent, Miss Christine Pearsall, the Reverend Anthony West, and Secretary Mrs Goodlift all helped.

Brockham's Christ Church also played it's part. A magnificent flower festival depicting the royal residences was staged in the church, and on Sunday a giant sized congregation crammed in to hear a jubilee service conducted by the Reverend Anthony West which was relayed over the green to the crowds outside.