Laxdale Diamond Jubilee street party 8/5/12
A community street party is being held by Laxdale Hall Association with Laxdale School to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years’ reign.
The event will be one of the 4,000 Big Lunches taking place across the UK to mark the Diamond Jubilee , under the auspices of the Eden Project. A steering committee for the event has already been set up, and organisers say they are encouraged so far by the goodwill and enthusiasm of many and the support of local councillors.
It is envisaged that the event will commence in the afternoon of Monday 4th June about 2pm at Newpark (Gearraidh Sgòth), with the schoolchildren and teachers coming down to sit and mingle at the trestle tables, surrounded by the bunting and balloons.
Organising committee spokesman Murdo Macleod said: “Participating in the Jubilee celebrations meets the children’s curriculum outcomes for citizenship and history, and the event is only part of a whole week of activities at the School centred around the Jubilee.
“The pupils speaking to older Laxdale citizens at the event about their memories
of village life in the community since 1952 will also foster inter-
After the children depart when the school day finishes, it is planned that the street party will continues until the evening to give people who are working a chance to come down and speak to their neighbours.
There will be ample chairs to sit on, and a range of food to eat, hopefully with Diamond Jubilee napkins & plates. Laxdale Hall will be available in case of rain. The toilet facilities at the hall will be open throughout.
It is hoped to have a number of different local musicians providing background music including some of our very talented younger citizens and pupils.
To exploit the historical perspective that a Diamond Jubilee affords, it is planned to have an exhibition inside the hall of photos taken in the Laxdale and Newmarket community since 1952, that Street Party attenders can go and have a look at.
The Steering Committee asks that anyone who wishes to send their old photos for inclusion in the exhibition sends copies of their photos if possible, not originals, to Murdo Macleod, Laxdale Hall Association Secretary, 101 Newmarket, Lewis.
Preferably, the photos should be dated and people in the photos identified, to enhance the interest. If it is not possible for people to make copies, the committee will endeavour to make copies of originals received, if they are sent along with an SAE. However, for logistical and other reasons, being sent copies is the most practical option.
Mr Macleod said: “To help meet with the costs of the event, it is anticipated that
there will be a door-
He added: “It is hoped that the street party will be a most memorable event and that it will become part of the collective memory of Laxdale itself to be talked about for many years to come. I
“If it promotes neighbourliness and increases thanks for the ties of service that bind us, in Scotland, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, the steering committee will be glad indeed.”