An account of how 22 towns and villages in the South Hams of Devon celebrated the 2002 Golden Jubilee. Some 60 pages of local details, with 32 pages of colour photographs. A story of the people, by the people, for the people.
Golden Jubilees by their nature are few and far between, and the most recent will be a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people. In that sense, this book is unique. It is also a stirring story, telling how small communities organized themselves to make merry in big ways, for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee of June 2002 was nowhere celebrated with greater rejoicing, better imagination and more heartfelt loyalty than in the South Hams of Devon.
It took 12 months of determined effort to gather information and accounts for the book. It tells in detail how 22 towns and villages in the southernmost area of the South Hams prepared for the great day and how they celebrated it. And how they celebrated! Page after page leaves the reader marvelling at how entire communities meticulously planned for the event and eagerly celebrated it with unfettered enjoyment and a spirit of pure delight. The comment of visitors in one village, that it was good to see people pulling together and that they “simply didn’t realize that such community spirit still existed,” might well have been echoed in a score of other parishes.
Each town and village has its own section in the book, and people who organized the events provide the facts. Colour photos enhance the telling of a thrilling narrative. Because such a story involves people, each contact was urged to provide as many names as possible, and these are faithfully recorded by the hundred. Today’s readers delight in this and genealogists of future days will find treasure for their trade.
An attempt to reproduce in a few words the wonderful atmosphere engendered must fail. Readers must discover such a pleasure for themselves. Yet samples from the accounts provide an enticing glimpse: “A memorable occasion … a great celebration … a happy and unforgettable day … without doubt a great success … a resounding success in every way …will long be remembered by everyone …a memorable Jubilee … everyone enjoyed a fantastic time…” And one parish commentator, doubting that another Golden Jubilee would be held in the lifetime of the Queen’s present subjects, suggests “it might be done again in 2012 to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee!” Now there’s a thought to carry into the next few years.
The 22 towns and villages are based on the 25 in the chronicles of the 1887 Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, published at the time by James Fairweather. That there are three fewer is the result of boundary changes in the intervening 115 years, but by and large parish names remain the same.
Kingsbridge History Society, in whose name the book is published, has hitherto focused on historical records. With this book it breaks new ground by relating a contemporary event, yet is also mindful of providing future generations with what for them will be history.
The Golden Jubilee in the South Hams, 2002
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Published by the Kingsbridge History Society, 2002. In full colour
Salcombe tea party
South Milton fancy dress
