Goudhurst will celebrate the coronation of King Charles III with a series of family events and activities for all residents on the Village Green over the weekend of 5th – 7th May 2023.
The ‘Bash’ is a community event and it will need support from the community to make it a success.
Friday 5th May
Goudhurst Ball
The weekend of activities will start with the Goudhurst Ball at the Village Greenon the evening of Friday. Book tickets here (SOLD OUT)
Saturday 6th May
Saturday Morning Cinema
Before the screening of the Coronation there will be a ‘Saturday Morning Cinema’. An activity familiar to an older generation but not something children today would know.
The Lion King will be shown with popcorn and ice cream.
The Coronation will be shown live concluding around 1:30. There will be food stalls and refreshments available including a Hog Roast provided by Lower Ladysden Farm although you are welcome to bring your own picnic. There will also be other activities on the Village Green for children of all ages!
Local suppliers are all involved! There will be a bar manned by provided The Goudhurst Club and will be open from 11:00 on both days. Cellar Head Brewery in Flimwell provided a special Goudhurst Coronation Ale flavoured with hops first discovered in Goudhurst. Anno Gin will provide the gin over the weekend., The Peacock and the Goudhurst Inn and Cellar Head in Flimwell are brewing a Goudhurst Coronation Ale especially for the event.
Monarchy and Mischief
GADS (Goudhurst Amateur Dramatic Society) will then take a sideways look at the history of the crown and the lessons to be learned from history with ‘Majesty and Mischief’. There will be an exhibition from the History Society looking at Coronation celebrations in the past.
By Royal proclamation
At 15:00 – Kings and Queens Fancy Dress competition with prizes. This will be followed by a Junior DIsco
Barn Dance
The evening will begin at 18:00 with a Barn Dance which may have a smattering of line dancing as well.
Sunday 7th May
Coffee and pastries will be sold from 8:30. The marquee will be open with Pilates (bring a mat if you have one!). Junior Park run will begin at 9:30 – today it will be open to anyone so you can challenge your children (The Goudhurst Junior Parkrun is normally for four to fourteen year olds) to a race around the Glebe.. There will also be some first aid training in the marquee so, if you don’t know how to use the defibrillator in the village, now is the time to find out how it works.
From 10:30 there will be a chance to compete in a series of traditional games (skittles, Quoits, GIant Jenga etc. – bring your own games and show us how its done).
There will be a market setting out its wares for the day with market stalls will begin setting up around the marquee. The Village Hall will provide a Barbecue on Sunday and other food vendors will also be on-site. The bar (run by Goudhurst Club) will be open from 11:00 on both days. Cellar Head Brewery in Flimwell provided a special Goudhurst Coronation Ale flavoured with hops first discovered in Goudhurst. Anno Gin will provide the gin over the weekend
The Kilndown Choir will sing in the Marquee from 12:00 with a selection of tunes for Sunday.
This will be followed by the Weald of Kent Morrismen who will dance at for us a 13:00.
Following that there will be an open-mike session for budding stars in and around the Parish to entertain the Parish. This could be singing, dancing comedy – whatever your talent. A sign-up form will be published shortly.
At 14:30 things take a different turn with a sing-a-long Mama Mia with words on the screen or in song sheets. Where theatres in Manchester deplore the audience singing we will be actively encouraging it.
Move into the evening with a ‘Tea Dance’ with Marvellous Mo and the Backline Ferrets!! Tea will be available and we can wind the weekend down in style.