Platinum Jubilee fun in the sun at Findhorn
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Findhorn laid on a long weekend programme of activities to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Things began at 9pm on Thursday evening when a large crowd of about 600 witnessed the lighting of the beacon by Alex Hunt and Campbell Ross.
Brothers Callum and Angus Robertson from the Forres and District Pipe Band played ‘Diu Reginare’, while the Kinloss Military Wives Choir sang a specially written song, ‘A life lived with Grace’.
Friday saw Findhorn Village Centre host craft displays and demonstrations, including spinning, quilting and lace making.
Meanwhile, more than 100 people gathered on the green at Findhorn Bowling Club to take part in the ‘Come and Try’ session with afternoon tea.
The James Milne Institute was decorated in red, white and blue and adorned with Union Jacks for the 1950s-themed ball on Friday evening, where party-goers had great fun dancing to music form the era.
Saturday saw about 150 guests enjoying afternoon tea and Pimms in the sunshine at the garden party hosted by the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club.
Swimming races were held between the piers and around 20 owners entered their pets into the dog show.
Claire Weller, owner of Findhorn Dog Walking, judged the competition.
She said: "Rain affected Jubilee celebrations in some parts of the UK, but the weather in Findhorn was so glorious we had to keep the event quite short as it was actually too hot to keep the dogs out of the shade for very long."
The Findhorn Ice House and Heritage Centre hosted a Jubilee Exhibition all weekend.
Meanwhile, Findhorn Church held a display of wedding dresses and photographs from weddings held there.
Church member Joan Miller said: "There over 150 visitors over the weekend and at least 60 visitors on Friday afternoon alone.
"The village of Findhorn was at its best this weekend with everyone pulling together and enjoying the sunshine. "Unfortunately, an opportunist removed the donations bowl from the Church. It wasn’t a huge amount of money but it was very sad that it should happen."
The last day of the Jubilee weekend of celebrations was marked by a street party and a maritime pageant.
Around 250 residents and visitors partied in the sunshine and were entertained by musicians from the Boatshed band.
The flotilla of boats was led by the Culbin Queen and included numerous small boats as well as Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation, the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club, the Moray Gig and the rowing skiffs, Joppa and Mairi. Findhorn Coastal Rowers were also kept busy with ‘give-it-a go row’.
A total of 21 first time rowers took part and nine of them enjoyed it so much they have now joined the club.
Organiser Cathy Low said: "We have had a splendid Platinum Jubilee Weekend.
"A big thank-you to everyone who helped."
