Volunteers at KeeP 106 attended two events over the coronation weekend to provide the PA system in both cases. The first was at the Salisbury Fields Beacon Lighting event on the Saturday followed by the Dorchester Lions Summerfest on Sunday.
Our reporter Andy Worth writes:
“It was a damp evening on the day of the King’s Coronation but the warming glow from Dorchester’s beacon on Salisbury Fields was welcomed by hundreds of well wishers. Before the beacon was lit by Cllr. Janet Hewitt, Mayor of Dorchester, who made two attempts due to the damp conditions, the crowd was entertained by The Decadettes who sang songs from the 20’s through to the 50’s. Then soprano, Laura Sharley, sang classical songs, as she always does, beautifully. For the run up to the lighting of the beacon the pupils of Prince of Wales School sang songs that included the official Coronation song Sing for the King and one that celebrated a rather special Lion King acted out by Gary Spracklen, the headteacher with more costumes than the National Opera. Once the beacon was finally fully alight Laura sang the National anthem unaccompanied using a little note to self to make sure she sang God Save the KING!
“The Lions Summer Fest took place on the day after the King’s coronation and the Sun shone all day. One highlight of this annual fundraiser that supports so many local charities was the cutting of a Coronation cake which the dancers from Dorchester Ballet and Dance Club enjoyed as much as the crew from KeeP 106 and the artillery garrison from the Nothe Fort. Everyone who came to the Great Field at Poundbury had a really wonderful time!”
With thanks to Andy Worth and Rob Mott for the photos below (click an image to enlarge it)
Lighting the Beacon at Salisbury Fields 6th May 2023
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- Pupils from the Prince of Wales School singing the official Coronation song
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- The Decadettes entertaining the crowd
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- In the damp conditions the beacon is finally alight after a couple of attempts
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- Laura Sharley singing the National Anthem
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- The Mayor Janet Hewitt with a well-lit beacon in the background!
Summerfest 7th May 2023
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- The scene at the Great Field for Summerfest 2023
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- The Nothe Fort Artillery Re-enactment Display Team at Summerfest
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- The Mayor about to cut the Coronation cake at Summerfest while Rob interviews her
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- The KeeP 106 stand at Summerfest manned by Andy Worth
