PUPILS at Hollycombe Primary School celebrated the Queen’s 90th birthday last week with a fun-filled day.

Children wore clothes in patriotic colours of red white and blue and played traditional games like shuffle board, skittles and boules.

Lunch turned into a street party picnic, where parents and staff at the village school helped to lay tables in long rows with Union Flag table cloths and every child was given a flag to take home.

The day of celebrations finished with children and staff singing Happy Birthday to Her Majesty the Queen.

Meanwhiole, folk in Milland celebrated the Queen’s 90th birthday last Thursday in style, with stalls around the village green, bunting and Union Flags providing a patriotic theme for the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Military marching music started the celebrations and set the tone followed by a fanfare played by a bugler from The Buglers’ Association of The Light Division and Rifles.

Organiser and village stalwart Mike Friend offered a glowing reflection and appreciation of the Queen’s lifetime of service to the United Kingdom and other realms as well as to the Commonwealth.

He read out a letter that Milland had received from Prince Charles as a village that was lighting their beacon, part of more than 1,000 being lit across the UK on the day.

The village’s letter to the Queen was also read together with the monarch’s letter of response.

After prayers led by the Reverend Tricia Bancroft and a suitable bugle fanfare, the beacon was lit by Milland residents Michael Crumpton and Steve Bancroft.

A free glass of fizz was then given to more than 300 villagers present and Trevor Fairhurst proposed The Loyal Toast.

Singing of The National Anthem and Happy Birthday was followed by a rousing three cheers for her majesty.

The outdoor celebrations continued with a firework display and a final fanfare, after which celebrations continued at The Rising Sun pub where a mini Last Night of The Proms took place.

Revellers joined in and sang traditional songs such as Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia, I Vow to Thee my Country, and Jerusalem - all stirring renditions well led by Matthew Pike and Mary Turton.

Mr Friend said: “All present felt that Milland had celebrated the Queen’s Birthday with pride, style and affection. God Bless Her Majesty!”