As with the national Jubilee Pageant, the Parkinson’s Park Big Jubilee Picnic celebrated the different decades of the Queen’s 70 year Reign. Instead of a pageant we chose to do it via the Corgi Trail around seven of the entrances, and also in a display of fashion – which people could also wear.

We asked seven different groups to interpret each decade for us, and we’d like to say thank you to them for their invention and hard work in preparing and setting up. We hope people enjoyed the look back through British culture and its changes.

1950s

Down at the Greenshaw Gate Hazel Berry chose to recreate the 1953 Coronation and street celebrations; this was a much photographed chair by passersby !!

1960s

At the Farm Gate, Abi James and her High School Art Class. Libby, Amelia, Nate, Beatriz, Summer and Thomas, together with the Yarns Well Spun project beautifully interpreted the culture of the 1960s through a Jasper Johns inspired pop art display as well as a demonstration of their handicraft – remember those 1960s crochet dresses?

1970s

The Second Guiseley Girl Guides, led by Joanna Ainsworth, were very enthusiastic about interpreting the ‘historic to them’ 1970s through Flower Power and Disco, using the popular colours and typefaces of the era plus a tie-dyed technique for the bunting.

1980s

Sadly, the interpretation of the 1980s at the Kelcliffe Lane entrance got rained off, however we did remember the Yuppies and New Romantics through the fashion display. (Spot the lone corgi !!)

1990s

At the Hillside gate Jon and Nicola Denson created a colourfully patriotic display to support the exuberance of the Britpop/Cool Britannia era, with CD’s of number one albums by groups such as Oasis, Suede and Blur, and of course the Spice Girls.

2000s

The Millennium, complete with bug, was remembered at the Kissing Gate with the rockets that lit up the sky that night. Vivien Hornsby-Smith and Jennifer Kirkby also interpreted the changes to culture, especially independent music brought about by Apple technology with the ipod and iphone.

2010s

Lastly, but definitely in line for a gold medal, is Becky James’ display at the Nethercliffe Entrance of the popular and well supported Team GB at the Olympics and the Tour de Yorkshire.

We chose not to interpret the 2020s to date, but rather thought the whole community sharing aspect of the Big Jubilee Picnic was a celebration of where we are in the Queen’s 8th decade.

Much appreciations also go to Guiseley Brass Band and musician Kevin James for their interpretation of music through the decades.

The word on the Corgi trail was JUBILEE

Many of the pictures above by Darren Sanderson Photography .