Wansford’s Coronation Picnic
Wansford’s Coronation Picnic held on Sunday, 7 May 2023 was enjoyed by all and the warmth and sunshine that appeared in the afternoon surprised us because of earlier gloomy weather forecasts.
The Haycock field, the venue, was at its most verdant with its willow trees bearing young leaves and stunning centrepiece of a chestnut tree covered in blossom candles where a cuckoo was seen flying overhead. The scene was quintessentially English with a charity cricket match playing at the far side of the field and the merriment of families enjoying their picnics, listening to the Yarwell & Nassington Britannia Band, the Wansford Ukelele Folk and Wansford’s Community Choir.
The Haycock’s hog roast and bar were very popular with queues of 10 or more people at one time. But perhaps the most enjoyable part of the Picnic was the number of children whizzing around the field (where did they all come from?) enjoying games of tag, making kings’ and queens’ crowns, participating in the egg and spoon and sack races and, later in the afternoon, the adults taking part in the wheelbarrow race and tug o’ war. Each child under the age of 18 was given a Coronation mug gifted by Wansford & Sibson cum Stibbington parish councils to mark the historical event of King Charles’ Coronation. Those children who were not at the picnic can still obtain a mug by contacting Wansford’s clerk on clerk@wansford-pc.gov.uk
The Haycock field also had nine newly planted birch trees which had been planted only the day before the event by Brad, the Haycock’s groundsman.
At one point in the afternoon two community police officers appeared and very quickly found the tea tent and spent time to meet and greet the community. We learned that bunting that hangs over a public highway requires planning permission. Thank you to the community police officers for this information and it is noted!
Finally, the Coronation Picnic was a success because so many members of this community contributed to make it so (the musicians, singers, residents, Haycock groundsmen, parish councils, and the Haycock Hotel staff). You know who you are – so thank you and thank you, Steve of the Haycock, for allowing us to use your field.
Marie Lewis, Wansford Parish Clerk