The Village of Loweswater joins the country in celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties Charles and Camilla.

Our plan is simple . . . decorate the Village Hall, everyone come along and bring a dish, savoury or sweet to share with friends.

Come and enjoy yourselves here in Loweswater.

The celebration cakes have arrived . . . two because we're expecting 84 people to the enjoy the event !

The hall is ready and as people start to arrive a gentle hum of conversation increases

as friends and neighbours meet up once again.

Admin notices are given including food arrangements, photography and fire escapes (here and here)

(and what to do in the event of a sudden decompression and oxygen masks descend from the ceiling . . . or did I just hear that in the background ?)

He also welcomed all our visitors from outside the valley, including those who have travelled many miles to get here.

Let the festivities begin . . .  on our table, Margie, Keith and Gill.

The Beebee Family out in force.

Roger from Lorton on a mixed table with Hugh, Zoe and Peter.

Les and Jan talk to the visitors who have travel the furthest to get here today, Peter and Michael from Canada !

Brian and Jenny sit on the corner table with Jeff and Chris from Cockermouth, Keith, Krystyna, Alan and Eleanor.

The youngest attendee Sophia who travelled over from the next village west, Mockerkin (not as far as Canada)

courtesy of her parents, Anthony and Michella.

Loes and myself . . . I'm brushed up nicely for the event I'm told . . . or was that just friendly banter !

- - - o o o - - -

There was no doubt about the theme of the day.

Nor the quality of all the beautiful, home made food brought along today.

. . . including this tasty cheesecake with a cream, chocolate and pistachio (?) topping.

Lorna selects a piece of cake.	Richard with dessert dish in hand.	Michael and Peter choosing fruit from the table.

- - - o o o - - -

After a while it was time for a Loyal Toast . . .

. . . and Three Cheers to the Royal Couple.

Penny and Betty were chosen to cut the cakes today.

They deserved the honour as they were the youngest resident and oldest resident who were actually 'born in the valley'.

The weather wasn't being totally kind, but it didn't deter those of us enjoying the indoor gathering.

It did however mean that a Village Photo would have to be taken inside the hall, if we could find the space.

Tables were cleared aside, chairs moved and some staging placed to raise the back rows to make them visible.

Nine chairs wide and five rows of people would only make 45 in the photo, but there are nearly double that number here.

We'll all have to share seats and bunch up a bit.

It took a bit of organising . . . but the local expressions was "that it was much easier than herding sheep".

Not the official picture, but my best attempt before the group finally settled.

	- - - o o o - - - John MacFarlane who kindly agreed to take the main group photo will be offering digital (maybe even nicely printed) copies of the full photo shortly. If you would like one, pease contact him direct at: jtmacfarlane@gmail.com - - - o o o - - -

Once the room was re-organised back into table settings and people could sit down again

it was time for tea or coffee and a share of the celebration cake for those that wanted a piece.

- - - o o o - - - A big vote of thanks here to Lyn (standing in the photo above) and the rest of the team who have organised today's event.   Whilst it was a combined effort, Lyn played a large part in keeping today's group of helpers in tow, buying and arranging the decorations and keeping tabs on the food and the bookings to make sure the day went without a hitch, as it did. Many thanks Lyn.   Mention should also be made for those that who helped fetching, carrying and doing the washing up, and for those that donated prizes including Val for organising the raffle.   - - - o o o - - -

Thanks to Michael and Peter who brought along most of the big banners and flags.

. . . and to those that brought along interesting Royal Memorabilia for the displays

from the Coronation Mugs to this, the order of service from last Saturday's event in London.

- - - o o o - - -   I have a feeling this official photo of Their Majesties will grace this and other Village Halls in the years to come.   Over the recent weeks a few people have doubted the relevance of the British Royal Family in today's world. There's no doubt that Saturday's televised Coronation and Sunday's Coronation Concert have drawn visitors to Britain and enhanced our reputation abroad.   It was Princess Ann who said that the Royal Family also have the ability to highlight the nicer parts of British life, the local events, the people, the volunteers and the good deeds done, that often fail to make the newspapers and television news yet still form the bedrock of the British way of life.   - - - - o o o - - -