TIMBERSCOMBE PCC held a sell-out fundraising event for St Petrock’s Church to celebrate the day Queen Elizabeth II became England’s longest serving monarch.

Villagers – whether monarchists or republicans- were invited to honour the actual day Queen Elizabeth broke the record formerly held by Queen Victoria, Wednesday, September 9.

St Petrock’s church bells pealed earlier in the evening as part of the national celebrations.

The venue was The Great House in the heart of the village, which is a part Tudor, part Georgian country house, made available by kind permission of Terry and Jo Cadman.

Union Jack bunting decorated the entrance and a large collection of Coronation memorabilia provided by villagers made an appropriate focal point.

A 1950s’ style supper was served, including coronation chicken followed by jelly and ice-cream. Music of the era was played and a raffle held, with the prize of a porcelain mug issued by the Royal Collection Trust in honour of the occasion.

Entering in to the spirit of the ‘Right Royal Evening’, many of those attending wore clothing of the period and dressed up with great elegance.

The Rev Barry Priory gave a speech about the monarchy, with recollections of his own experiences on meeting with royalty, and concluded with the Loyal Toast and a rousing God Save the Queen.