Lots of royal fun at Woolton Hill jubilee market

Hundreds of villagers got into the jubilee spirit as they turned out for a morning of shopping and competitions at the Woolton Hill village market.

On Saturday, around 30 stalls set up shop at the church hall, and extended into the St Thomas’ Infant School car park for the first time.

It was two-and-a-half hours of busy trade for the stall holders, and organiser Sally Fenwick said the event was the “kick off to the jubilee celebrations”.

She said: “It went really well, we were really busy – as busy as the Christmas one.

“I was sat at the front of the lobby and I could tell straight away it was going to be really busy, because people were coming in constantly.

“People were having to park in Trade Street because they couldn’t park any closer.

“It whizzed by – two-and-a-half hours went by in a flash.

“We had loads of really good feedback and the stallholders said they were really happy. Another success!”

As well as the stalls, there was a treasure hunt competition, with children tasked with answering a question related to a stall and then getting a letter.

They then had to solve the nine letter Jubilee-themed anagram – Elizabeth.

There was also a competition for the ‘Queenliest Crown’ as children created their own Royal headwear at home.

Prizes went to eight-year-old Darcey Hopkin, six-year-old Willow Watts and five-year-old Cora Smith.

Mrs Fenwick continued: “There were eight or 10 crowns and the standard was really high.

“I think that helped with attendance, because I kept seeing people I hadn’t seen before.

“You never know with half-term if people are going to go away, and then attendance is a lot poorer.

“But there were lots of new faces.

“It always amazes me that the market has been going for 13 years and people still come along saying: ‘Oh I didn’t know this was on!’

Preparations are already underway for the July market, with a performance from Newbury teen singer songwriter Olivia McBeth, and a special visit from police community support officers, who will be attending with their patrol car.