Castlehill jubilee garden party was 'a great success and very well attended'
A GARDEN party, organised by the Castletown Heritage Society to celebrate the Queen's Patinum Jubilee, was " a great success and very well attended."
The event was staged at the heritage centre at Castlehill on the outskirts of the village on Sunday afternoon.
A special Platinum Jubilee cake was baked by Society member Elspet Chapman in celebration of Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne. The cake was cut by secretary Jayne Blackburn to "resounding cheers and clapping by the assembled party-goers," said Neil Buchan, speaking on behalf of the society.
Mr Buchan, a past chairman, said: "The event proved to be a great success and was very well attended. It is fair to say that the weather was absolutely perfect, and it was great to see so many visitors and members of the local community enjoying the excellent cakes and goodies then staying around to relax and enjoy good conversation in the Heritage Garden, which was looking at its best."
He added: "A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of a thank-you gift – a folding hanging chair – to Irene Wares who recently retired after many years of service as head volunteer gardener at Castlehill Heritage Centre. We are deeply indebted to her for the sterling work she has performed in creating and maintaining the wonderful displays in the heritage garden, which are admired and commented on by all who visit. We are delighted to welcome on board Christine Hornby as our new head volunteer gardener."
Mr Buchan said practical hands-on demonstrations by the North Highland Woodturners Association and the Caithness Astronomy Group "contributed greatly to the days proceedings" and stressed it was "especially good to see so many young people getting involved."
"All in all a really great afternoon," he added.
The Queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
To celebrate this historic milestone, events took place throughout the country over the weekend and others will be staged later in the year.
The celebrations included public events and community activities, street parties, parades, appearances by the Queen and other members of the Royal family and a traditional RAF fly-past over Buckingham Palace.