Villages look to Victoria for inspiration

Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee was in 1887

A five-day Golden Jubilee extravaganza in two tiny Norfolk villages is using minutes from the celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee as inspiration.

David Kernon, organiser of the West and East Rudham event, has been reading the minutes from his villages' 1887 Jubilee, including notes about a huge feast and gallons of beer.

Mr Kernon told BBC News Online: "They managed to raise £75 in a street collection, which was quite a princely sum in those days, and were going to buy a church clock.

"But instead they used it on a huge feast with 85 stone of beef, 45 stone of plum pudding, 45 stone of bread and as much beer as they could drink."

Snail race

This year's celebration will include a hog roast in West Rudham not far from the avenue of trees where the Victorian feast took place.

Mr Kernon, a 67-year-old retired accountant, said although many villagers are too busy to volunteer, most of them are interested in the Jubilee.

David Kernon: "We love to wave the flag"

"The problem is that people work too hard and when they get home they go in front of the TV or computer.

He predicted that when the 14-event festival kicks off, it will be a huge success: "Underneath it all we love being British and I think people will join in when the Jubilee week gets closer."

"We are very undemonstrative people but once we get going we love to wave the flag."

The villages will also have a snail race, village fete, sports day, children's parade and a Victorian music hall in the five-day Jubilee celebrations from 31 May to June 4.

Flags and bunting

The two villages are also trying to raise £45,000 for a multi-use sports area for young people, which will include tennis and netball courts and a football pitch.

The villages have a combined population of 700 people.

Mr Kernon, who has been planning the event for more than two years, remains upbeat about his plans.

"We are pretty proud to be British and will have lots of flags and bunting.

"We are going to have a jolly good time because that's what it's all about."