Under starter's orders for Olympic celebrations

AS OLYMPICS fever grips the nation, High Peak communities are pulling out all the stops to give residents a sporting chance with homegrown celebrations.

And revellers are seizing on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with equal enthusiasm.

The ball is set rolling on Saturday (May 19) with the Chinley Games on the village football fields. Running from 10am to 2pm, the event will feature a wide range of sports and games plus refreshments.

Twenty four hours later, attention switches to Bamford Recreation Ground, which will host an Olympicnic from 12 noon to 3pm. Villagers are invited to bring their own picnic and take part in the many sports on offer.

The following Saturday (June 2), Chapel-en-le-Frith Memorial Park will come alive for a Diamond Jubilee Olympicnic from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Again, revellers should bring their own food and be prepared to compete in various sports.

Many of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations across High Peak have been part funded by Borough Council grants to a value of £3,500, on top of which the council has spent £1,200 on bunting for Glossop and Buxton Markets plus Higher Buxton and the town’s Pavilion Gardens.

What is more, the council is staging a string of blue-blooded fiestas of its own. The fun starts on Tuesday, May 29 in the Pavilion Gardens with a Young at Heart dance featuring 1950s music and afternoon tea. Dancers are invited to dress in red, white and blue.

The council’s regal celebrations continue on Saturday, June 2 with Diamond Jubilee Markets in Glossop Market Square and Buxton Market Place from 10am to 4pm.

Highlights of the majestic extravaganzas will include live music, children’s fairground rides and a free prize draw plus special jubilee prize hunt. And, just for good measure, there will be fine foods and traditional goods alongside crafts and home ware.

Anthony McKeown, executive councillor for community services, said: “The Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics offer a unique opportunity for people to get together, have fun and enjoy sport. With that in mind, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to do our bit by awarding grants and organising events of our own.

“I’ve no doubt that the jubilee events in Glossop and Buxton will attract lots of people to our town centres – which has to be good news for local businesses”, he foresaw.

For more information on Diamond Jubilee events, visit the news section of the council’s website .