A SMALL but enthusiastic group recently met to discuss the 2016 Sandford celebrations to mark the 90th Birthday of the Queen to compliment the national celebrations planned in London in June next year.

Suggested plans include a “Clean for the Queen” event during the weekend of March 4 to 6 to join other volunteers across the country to “clean up their local areas” being co-ordinated nationally by Adrian Evans, campaign organiser, who ran The Queens Diamond Jubilee River Pageant in 2012.

Also suggested, for Saturday, June 11, is a Family Treasure Hunt in the morning, then at 12 noon the Grand Opening of the Sandford Edwardian Street Market, in and around Church Street (Parish Hall if wet!) to mark the year 1926 when the Queen was born.

It was pointed out that the current series of “Downton Abbey” is based in 1925 so “think Downton!”. There will be lunches and teas and parish organisations will be invited to take along a stall to fundraise for themselves.

A fancy dress contest will be run at the same time with an Edwardian theme, together with a grand draw.

On Sunday June 12, it is proposed there will be a Church Service at St Swithun’s, followed by a “Bring and Share Lunch”.

A programme of events for the weekend will be circulated in the parish.

The children at Sandford School will be invited to design a cover for the programme and the winning art work will also be used as the cover for a 90th birthday card to be sent to the Queen.

Fundraising early in 2016 will include a parish quiz and also an evening entitled “Sandford Entertains”. Proceeds from these events will be added to the funds left over from the memorable 2012 Sandford Parish Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

As a lasting permanent memorial it is hoped to erect a Sandford Commemorative Village Sign. MJV