STREET parties and community events were held the length and breadth of the Forest to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

The celebrations were given an official start with the reading of the Proclamation of the Jubilee by the Chair of the Forest Council, Cllr Julia Gooch.

She was joined at the council office in Coleford on Thursday by other councillors and senior officers along with local dignitaries including Forest MP Mark Harper and the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Gloucester Mr Roger Deeks.

It was a busy Bank Holiday weekend for Mayor of Lydney Cllr Tasha Saunders who was managing events with a small team of volunteers.

She planted oak trees at Primrose Hill and Bathurst Park and there was also the lighting of the beacon at Primrose Hill on Thursday evening, a children’s activity day on Friday and weekend music events.

Cllr Saunders said: “It’s been a wonderful weekend with people coming together and showing real community spirit.”

There was a large crowd for the lighting of the Cinderford beacon in The Triangle and other events in the town included a street party in Church Road, Commercial Street, Market Street and The Triangle.

The beacon lighting at Mayhill featured specially composed music by piper Trevor Reynaert and bugler Craig Wintle, who are both members of Longhope British Legion.

In Newent, Gary Brown stood in for Her Majesty complete with a coach.

The destination for ‘Her Majesty’ was Newent Memorial Hall which hosted a cream tea with nostalgic music on Friday (June 3).

The Friends of Longhope Church organised a big breakfast with 146 full English breakfasts being served.

Residents of Parkend Walk and Prosper Lane in Coalway got together to mark the Platinum Jubilee by holding an afternoon Gathering on the Green on Friday, June 3.

The initial proposal came from Jane Avery: “I suggested it to a few neighbours who immediately got on board with the idea. It only took a few meetings to organise as everyone played to their strengths, whether it was making metres of bunting, mowing the green, making cakes, or organising games for the children and quizzes for the adults.

“The community really came together to make it a fun afternoon that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.”

Other Jubilee events included fun days at Sling Bandstand, Yorkley and Lydney Community Centres and a vintage tea at Lydney Town Hall in aid of Great Oaks Hospice..