Pakenham History : Pakenham-Village of Two Mills - NR Whitwell

Pakenham celebrated the Royal Jubilee of 1877 - the 50th year of Queen Victoria's reign. The celebrations were prompted by the Vicar, the Revd. C.W. Jones, at a Lady Day Parish meeting. He suggested a special service in church, a good meal for the residents of the Parish followed by sports, tea for the children and fireworks to round it off. This was arranged by a special committee who collected sums of money for the event which duly took place on 21st June 1887.

It was resolved to provide a dinner in the schoolroom for all those working people and their families who had reached the same age as the Queen. The children of the Parish between the ages of three and fourteen were to have a tea.

The beef pudding materials and drinkables were by ticket issued to applicants. These were to the value of 2lb beef - 3lb for married couples - with 1lb extra per child. Suet and groceries were provided in proportion. There was six pennyworth of beer for males over sixteen years of age and three pennyworth of tea for the widows. The sports and fireworks were to be held in the park by kind permission of E. Greene Esq. MP.

The village Street was festooned with greenery from side to side and a peal was rung before the ten o'clock service, to which special hymns and prayers were added for the occasion. The church was crowded and it is recorded "They took a hearty share in the Service". After this followed the children's tea in the schoolroom, to which no fewer than two hundred and fifty two sat down, including twenty three from the band and choir.

The sports lasted until darkness, then came the many and excellent fireworks which did not finish until after eleven o'clock. At the end there was an illumination of the church by means of changing coloured lights. This helped to show the spectators towards their homes, while the village Street was prettily decorated with Chinese lanterns.

The greatest pleasure and satisfaction appeared to be felt by everyone and a very hearty expression of thanks to all those contributed to the Jubilee celebrations.