Be a part of something very special Platinum Jubilee

“A Triumph of Celebration and Community”

That is how Councillor, Sue Mullan, Chair of South Willesborough and Newtown (SWAN) Community Council described the Queens Platinum Jubilee event on held on Newtown Green on Sunday 5th June 2022

She said “Six months ago SWAN Council got a very clear message from residents that they wanted to see more social events and a revival of community spirit in this unique part of Ashford.  The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee gave us our first real opportunity to put on a large-scale event for them. It turned out to be a triumph of celebration and community”

A few days after handing out over 450 commemorative medals to local schoolchildren and supporting SWAN Farm’s beacon lighting event, local families, many with young children. poured on to Newtown Green to find 500 tables and chairs laid out for a street party, free red, white and blue cupcakes displayed as the Royal Cypher of Queen Elizabeth II, a hog roast and a wide range of modern and traditional entertainment and music.

Councillor Mullan continued “My fellow Councillors and I were thrilled to see a record number of local families and children descending on the Green to participate in a moment of history and summon up the spirit of the SWAN community. Around 550, Union Jack waving adults and children formed the shape of a swan which was filmed from above. It was a special moment that featured on Meridian TV news. They also watched on as the SWAN Jubilee time capsule was buried under the railway memorial on Newtown Green”

Councillor Mullen was generous in her praise of the team effort. She said “I can’t thank SWAN residents enough for supporting this event but I would also like to thank Ashford Borough Council for allowing us to the use the Green and supporting the event financially, Kent County Council for its support, SWAN councillors for their vision, the army of volunteers who helped on the day, the Salvation Army and The Alfred Arms for their help, our event advisor, Roger Crouch, and staff members Sarah Evans and Rob Woods who worked tirelessly to make the event such a resounding success”