Guarlford History Group

Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012

The Village Jubilee Bench

In June 2012 the country formally celebrated the 60th year of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, culminating in a special Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Locally, in celebration of the Jubilee the village of Guarlford held a village bring and share picnic lunch. Before the main event a new village bench, by the pond, was dedicated in memory of village historian Joan Bradshaw. Joan's painstaking research was an invaluable source and inspiration for the Guarlford History Group's books The Guarlford Story and The Guarlford Scene.

(The bench and its plaque were donated by the Guarlford History Group who had obtained permission from the Malvern Hills Conservators to site the bench on common land.)

The photo below shows villagers gathering at the entrance to Grange Farm Nursery with the old Guarlford Men's Club adjoining the village hall in the background.

Dr Eric Jones chairman of the Guarlford History Group dedicated the bench to Joan Bradshaw, and a blessing was given by the Rector the Reverend Sue Irwin.

After the dedication, a group photograph was taken (see below). Shown left to right standing - Michael Skinner, Revd Sue Irwin, Dr Eric Jones, Janet Lomas, seated - Jo Newell, life long friend of Joan Bradshaw and Dr Peter Mayner ex chairman of Guarlford Parish Council.

Missing from the photo were GHG members Angus and Rosemary McCulloch who had gone ahead to help with the picnic lunch arrangements.

It is hoped that the bench will provide a welcome place for ramblers and hikers to rest, as well as villagers and visitors to the nearby Grange Farm Nursery.

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