Crondall villagers partied the night away in their wellies and tiaras on Friday night, 24 hours after a beacon was lit in the village to kick-start a four-day extravaganza of Jubilee festivities.

Party-goers were glad for their Wellington boots as rain patted down on the marquee at Hook Meadow as they enjoyed a two-course meal, band and bar – all underneath an elaborate ceiling decoration of dried flowers crafted by local artist Helen Dyne, who spent seven hours transforming the village hall for the ball.

Hook Meadow also hosted the village’s official beacon lighting and fireworks on Thursday night, with long-time Cronall resident Kevin Leggett given the honour of lighting the beacon, and earlier on Thursday a street party was held in The Borough.

The fun continues on Saturday with Party in the Park, again at Hook Meadow, featuring live bands, food stalls, a bar and raffle from 3pm to 10.30pm.

Here is the running order for the live music: 3.30-4.15pm James Deane, 4.30-5.15pm Jessie Hiley, 5.30-6.30pm The Fleet Booze Hound Blues Band, 6.45-7.45pm The Gears, 8-9.15pm Grizzly & the Grasshoppers, 9.30-10.30pm The Swarm.

Crondall’s Jubilee celebrations will conclude on Sunday with The Big Lunch in, you guessed it, Hook Meadow – with villagers welcome to bring a picnic and raise a glass to Her Majesty. The marquee will still be up in the event of inclement weather!

The Jubilee fun in Crondall has been organised by the Crondall Events team, comprising: Heather Shepherd, Peter Wilson, Roger Withers, Sean Retief and Izzy Harrison-Butler, with lots of support from volunteers in the village.