The Western Wards went Royal Wedding mad with street parties across the area to mark the special day for Prince William an the new Duchess of Cambridge.
Abigail Russell enjoys the food at the Trevose Way street party for the Royal Wedding
Flags were out on pubs and houses across Locks Heath, Sarisbury, Warsash, Park Gate and Titchfield Common – and as the service got underway in London the normally busy A27 and other streets across the Western Wards were almost deserted.
And as the newlyweds thrilled the crowds in the Mall with their first public kiss as a married couple the area’s street parties started springing into action.
Fareham Bortough Council had relaxed its rules on street closures to encourage more people to get together to celebrate the special day – and just as importantly to get to know their neighbours a little better.
Gary Elston co-ordinated the plans for the huge street party held in Trevose Way in Titchfield Common.
Trevose Way street party organiser Gary Elston
“We did this for the Golden Jubilee and someone said we really ought to be doing the same thing for the wedding,” said Gary. “I did a quick straw poll in the street and I had only got half way down when I had enough wanting to do it to make it viable.
“Everyone did something towards it and we have got almost the whole of the street here – nearly 100 people altogether.”
One of the biggest benefits from all the street parties in the region was the way it brought neighbours together.
Two special guests were serving the barbecue at Trevose Way - they are known locally as Tony Strike (Kate) and Richard Over (William)
Gary added: “There are some people here I have never spoken to before but seen them around. This has really brought us all together.”
In Greenaway Lane in Warsash Sandy Saunders echoed that view.
“There’s not enough community spirit these days and hopefully this will go some way to correcting that. We have got 90 people here today and it is wonderful.
Sandy Saunders (standing right) with some of his fellow street party revellers in Greenaway Lane
“There are some people here today that I don’t know and yet they are my neighbours – so I intend speaking to them and getting to know them.
“This is a great opportunity to meet people we live next door to, and have done for 20 years or so, but until now we have not got to know.”
Mel Baker and Matshe Gunn in Ironbridge Crescent in Park Gate only started planning their big event six weeks before the Royal Wedding – but with a giant gazebo across the end of their cul-de-sac they were well set up with their neighbours.
Ironbridge Crescent street party organisers Mel Baker and Matshe Gunn with baby Charlotte Baker and Lerato Gunn
It was a double celebration because it also marked Mel and Richard Baker’s daughter Charlotte’s first birthday.
“We posted some letters though doors and quite a few people thought it would be a good idea,” said Mel.
“Meting our friends and meeting other people who also live here in this street has made this worthwhile,” added Matshe.
“It is a great way of getting to know who else lives here and what they do, and just getting everyone together.