The parade started at Lion Green in the afternoon with the procession of floats, cars and school children following a route to the town centre, where hundreds were entertained and cream teas were served by volunteers from stalls in West Street and High Street.
Schoolchildren from Haslemere and Hindhead were the stars of the show, with Camelsdale Primary leading the procession, waving to the spectators, with their float organised with the Haslemere branch of the Royal Society of St George (RSoStG). pulled by a vintage steam roller ‘Roslyn’.
The line-up included town crier Christian Ashdown and his dog Beryl in full regalia; Haslemere Town Band; the Air Cadets smartly marching; St Bartholomew’s Primary; a black and white spotted ‘Molly Moocow’ car; Haslemere Players ‘Show Stoppers’; St Edmund’s School; Walks For Health members; a giant fresh flower crown made by Marley Flowers, celebrating its 60th year; a Pearly King and a Pearly Queen; the RNLI; a classic car driven by Alan Perry; Haslemere and District Guides; Haslemere Performing Arts; giant puppets and a float from Haslemere Fringe Festival; Haslemere Thespians promoting the next production A Streetcar Named Desire; Shottermill Juniors and Infants dressed as 1940s evacuees, and St John Ambulance, all escorted by Rotary Club volunteers and the organisers, the Haslemere Festival committee.
St George, the damsel and the dragon were played by Woolmer Hill School teacher Michael Farrant, headgirl Cam Heather and headboy Jack Hall, with Shirley Hankers carrying the St George banner for the RSoStG.
They were joined in the town centre by the parade of cars – vintage, classic and modern - from each decade of the Queen’s life, and while everyone enjoyed their cream teas, entertainment was laid on by members of the festival and fringe groups and Haslemere Town Band.
At the town centre stage, set up courtesy of The Music Works Yamaha music school in Milford, tenor Andy Hart and sopranos led the crowd in singing Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem and God Save The Queen.
In keeping with the Royal Society of St George’s tradition, a wreath in memory of all of those who had died in the service of England was laid at the war memorial by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, who was officially representing the Queen.
He was accompanied by his wife Sarah and Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Nicolas Davis, along with RSoStG branch chairman, Martin Coakley, mayor Melanie Odell, Camelsdale head Sarah Palmer, RSoStG president Shirley Hankers, Camelsdale headgirl Rosie and her deputy, Evie.
Winner of the best dressed window, sponsored by Haslemere Chamber of Trade, was ‘Between the Lines’ of West Street for a display of photographs of the Queen in all her decades.
Runners-up were Keats estate agents and Hokey Cokey Party Shop. Winner of the best carnival float was the joint parade representing Shottermill Juniors and Infants while runners-up were Marley Flowers for its giant flower crown, along with Haslemere Players.
Mr More-Molyneux thanked the organisers Hamish Donaldson, Don Stacey and the rest of the committee, and everyone who had made “such a wonderful day for us all to enjoy”, while the mayor thanked all the volunteers, including the tea party ladies, marshals and sweepers and the cream tea sponsors Twinnings, Tesco, Rodda’s cream, Marks and Spencer and Silk Road.
Mrs Odell said: “Haslemere has turned up trumps. Thank you all for coming and making it happen, Haslemere is a place where great things happen.”
• The town council has a dark blue leather bound, gold edged book and is inviting people from the town to sign with birthday wishes to the Queen.
The book, which will be available to be signed at the Charter Fair on Monday May 2,. as well as at other locations in the town, will be sent to Her Majesty. If you wish to sign at another time, contact the town hall.
The town’s schools were all invited to take part in a colouring competition based upon the twin themes of St George and the Queen’s birthday – people can vote for winners at sponsors Keats estate agents in the High Street – the winners will be announced at the Charter Fair over the bank holiday weekend.
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