Partying for the Queen in Horfield

A multitude of red, white and blue stripes, a superhero cape made out of the union jack and a smile was what welcomed me as I walked up to the entrance of Ebenezer church in Horfield to attend a celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday. I think I had the right place.

You couldn’t help but to reciprocate the warm welcome and beam at the senior citizens of the Horfield, Lockleaze and Filton community as they sat down on long tables chatting.

The sight was quintessentially English; bunting lined the walls and hung from the ceiling, bunches of balloons framed doorways and charming teacups sat in rows.

Red, white and blue covered everything from the tablecloths to the napkins – this really was an authentic street party, just totally indoors.

Organiser Stewart North said it was important that the community commemorated this occasion: “I think it is important that we don’t miss out the more senior community and do stuff for them and with them. They love a sense of occasion and things just like this.”

That was certainly clear as dozens of people were sat down, enjoying the atmosphere and celebrating with friends over a nice cup of tea.

Stewart spoke about his memories of street parties, recalling how people were more patriotic thirty years ago and communities closer.

“We held an event a couple of years ago for the jubilee and it was great to see people coming together as a community,” he said “I think that is what is really important; that people who don’t know each other come together and share and have a good time.”

I arrived just in time to hear the lively rendition of Happy Birthday which was sung with gusto.

As the fanfare trumpeted out of the speakers, the food was placed out on trays. Cheese and pineapple on sticks, small sausage rolls, crisps and rectangular sandwiches (naturally without the crusts) perfectly decorated the tables, making it an even sweeter occasion.

But what made this party – the icing on the regal icing on the birthday cake if you will – was the attendees. Smartly dressed, they were as proud as the hung-up flags.

Asked while she was here, Horfield resident Pearl answered simply: “To enjoy the Queen’s birthday.”

Geoff Stock of Horfield, told me about why he loves the Queens so much: “I think she’s great, I think she’s a role model. To have done this job for 64 years at all is phenomenal but to it in the way she’s done it is quite unbelievable really.

“I also particularly appreciate the fact that she isn’t afraid to say she has a faith… that means a lot to may people in this country.”

The room was vibrant in colour and life, with dozens of conversations keeping up the babbling background noise. The scene was a reminder for many of their childhood street parties.

Lockleaze resident Valerie Hutson remembers attending a street party for the queen’s coronation in 1953. “We had a lovely street party and we all dressed up,” she chuckles, telling me how she was a nurse and her friend a fairy.

Valerie also chatted about the Queen and her big influence throughout the years: “I think she is a wonderful person who works very hard for this country and we are very lucky to have her.”

Photos by Fiona Burgess