On the 6th of February this year, Her Majesty The Queen became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives have taken place throughout the year, culminating in a four day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June.
The Queen’s Birthday Parade, Trooping the Colour was held on Thursday 2nd June 2022.
It is at times of great celebration, that those in our community who are struggling most have very little to celebrate with.
In this Jubilee year, the Queen’s Colour was trooped by the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, with more than 1200 officers and soldiers on display.
This annual event has now marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years.
We decided that we would like to offer an afternoon tea for all our families using the food bank to help them celebrate with the rest of the country. We made fresh scones and cupcakes presented in a cupcake box for easy transportation home.
A big thank you to all who donated to this project to make it possible. In particular the Okehampton Rotary Club for their ongoing help and support.
We would like to post some of the comments we received.
…I have to say a huge congratulations to Okey Food Bank for the cupcakes and the scones! Absolutely marvellous, thank you all so much. Its made my weekend.
JH
…Thank you for the special effort you at foodbank give for us. It helps me get through the week. The tea you did was a lovely thought thank you.
JS
…I have to say thank you for the difference you make to me and my family. We really enjoyed our afternoon tea which we had when we watched the trooping of the colour. It made it special for us!
MP
It is such a privilege to help those in our community who are finding life tough at the moment. However, none of this would be possible without the donations we receive from the people of Okehampton.
This year has gone from extremes; the Pandemic to the Queen’s Jubilee and to welcoming refugees from war-torn Ukraine. What an honour to help!
In the century before Christ, it was the custom to free slaves and prisoners as well as forgive debts. The year of Jubilee was when the mercies of God would be particularly manifest. Perhaps the year of jubilee would be a good time to have all our debts wiped out as we move forward in uncertain times.