Great Aycliffe Town Council joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the Queen’s Official 90th Birthday with a Picnic in the Town Park.
The weather was rather dreary for a picnic but families attending did not allow it to dampen their spirts and made use of the decorated marquee provided for lunch. There was a variety of free, family entertainment. The MAD choir entertained the public, while Dot and Zooky brightened up the day with their circus skills workshops and performances. Face painting, a fairground ride and Professor Nincompoop’s magic and balloon modelling proved to be very popular with younger visitors, while pole lathe demonstrations caught the attention of the adults.
The emergency services were represented by Police Interceptors, a paramedic and, later in the day, a fire engine – there was a constant queue of people waiting to try out the sirens!
Watch out for a two-week long programme of community events throughout the parish in the Aycliffe Festival from 13th to 30th July.