Buckie celebrates 'historic' platinum jubilee with right royal knees up
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CLUNY Square was transformed into one giant street party on Sunday afternoon to mark the Queen's historic platinum jubilee.
The fun-filled festivities got under way at 12 noon, with something for all the family, including a fun fair, stalls and the chance to have a nice cuppa and a piece.
Officially opening the party was the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson, who was also on hand to give former nurse and Burnbank Care Home resident Janet Murray a special lift to Cluny Square in a Rolls Royce, which was led in by the Buckie and District Pipe Band. They were followed by a luxury coach bearing other residents from the care home.
Addressing the crowd in Cluny Square said: "When the Queen and her supporters started planning the platinum jubilee weekend one of the things they wanted from this weekend was communities to come together.
"Statues are great, monuments are fantastic but the Queen was very clear that she wanted people to gather together, to build communities, to build partnerships and to have fun and enjoy time together.
"I think that if she were here today she would say 'This is right'. It's fantastic what we're doing here in Buckie."
Mr Simpson went on to praise the efforts not only of all those involved in organising the event but also those who had turned out to celebrate the jubilee.
He stressed that the jubilee was a "once in history" occasion.
"This isn't just a once in a generation event, this is a once in history event," he continued.
"At no time in the history of the country has there been a monarch who's been on the throne for 70 years.
"This is unique, this is special and it's right and proper that we come together to celebrate the Queen's 70 years as Queen. I think the way we're doing it today is just exactly right – coming together, having fun, enjoying ourselves and building community.
"It's been a tough two years, it's been difficult to get things together, to have community events and I think this makes today even more special.
"So my message to you as Lord Lieutenant, as the Queen's representative in Banffshire, is simple – go and enjoy yourselves, make memories that will last."
Mrs Murray, who appeared in a video along with other Parklands Group care home residents reminiscing about the queen's coronation, recalled how rain scuppered plans to hold a coronation party.
She continued: "I remember there was a party.
"There was going to be a picnic but it was raining so they had to change it to a party and we went up to the school, the local school, and we had games."
Behind the celebrations were community groups Buckie's Roots and Buckie Christmas Lights, the latter foregoing the return of their summer show to take part in the festivities.
Meg Jamieson, chairwoman of Buckie's Roots, spoke of her delight at the public response to the jubilee celebrations.
"It's been absolutely fantastic, I'm overwhelmed with the support we've had.
"People have really taken this to heart."
"The place is just buzzing and it's so good to see.
"I think we'd definitely consider doing another summer event like this in the future."
Among the other jubilee parties and events organised by local communities at the end of last week and were to be found at Fochabers, Portknockie and Cullen.
Kicking things off last Thursday was a jubilee duck race, followed later that evening by a musical evening in the Public Institute. Rounding off the evening was a parade to Christie's Garden Centre for the lighting of the bonfire at 9.45pm.
The Friday saw the children's walking jubilee treasure hunt get under way over the course of the weekend.
The village's jubilee festivities were completed by a community picnic at the playing fields, East Street.
Fochabers Heritage Centre were the first to get into the swing of things with a special exhibition which opened prior to jubilee week.
Meanwhile, Saturday saw Party in the Park at Portknockie's McLeod Park and McBoyle Hall. It was opened at 12 noon by Mr Simpson, who cut a ribbon to unleash an afternoon of fun, entertainment and music.
The party was made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
On Sunday it was time for the residents of Ogilvie Park in Cullen to celebrate when they held a street party.
Many other street parties and events were held in the area to celebrate the jubilee, including afternoon teas.
