On Your Marks, Get Set... Go

PLATINUM

Race Day

On your marks, get set... Go! Why not celebrate the long Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend with a fun and silly sports day? Sara Whatley ties up her trainers, and fires the starting gun

Our gracious Queen is the first British monarch in history to reign for a whopping 70 years. Events such as this call for friends and family to come together and celebrate this truly historic event. And what could be more jolly than a Jubilee Sports Day? Invite your family and get your friends and neighbours involved too. The more the merrier for this kind of event! Here are some ideas to make your sports day into a winner.

Time to get moving! A great way to get everyone in the mood is to pop on some upbeat music and all warm-up together. Ask someone brave to lead the group in some stretching and warm-up exercises, such as marching on the spot or some knee lifts and bends.

Once everyone is warmed up, let the games commence! Depending on how many people you have, you could either do the activities all together, or split everyone up into teams for relay races.

Set up a start and finishing line using string, ribbon or markers, and make sure you have enough props for the games beforehand. EGG AND SPOON RACE All this simple game entails is carrying an egg on a spoon from the start to the finish line without it falling off. Hardboil the eggs beforehand and give them time to cool before using, alternatively if you want to make it messy and a lot more difficult use raw eggs and if the egg drops and breaks then it’s instant disqualification. Harder than it sounds! SACK RACE Traditionally, hessian sacks are used for a sack race, but old

pillowcases, strong bags for life or even just an imaginary sack will all do the trick. Get in the sack, and jump, jump, jump from start to finish line, trying not to fall over.

OBSTACLE RACE You could make this as hard or as easy as you wish, depending on your audience and your desire. If you have the space, set this up beforehand. Try crawling under a table or a row of chairs, zigzagging through some markers and jumping over an upturned bucket or in and out of a hulaSee who is most coordinated or hoop five times. Let your imagination run wild! who would never THREE-LEGGED RACE win Strictly Find a partner, tie two of your legs together and try to synchronise your steps to enable you to go as fast as possible or simply stumble from start to finish. See who is most coordinated or who would never win Strictly.

WHEELBARROW RACE Teams of two again and witness even the strongest wheelbarrows get jelly arms as they laugh their way to the finish line in this funny game. Basically one teammate is the driver who holds on to the other players ankles as they walk as fast as they can using their hands. If a wheelbarrow race is too much, you can always play piggyback races instead.

WELLIE WANGING As easy as pie: grab a wellie and simply wang it as far as you can! The one that throws it the furthest is the winner, or use a target and whoever gets the closest wins.

When everyone has stopped laughing after the last game, hold a medal ceremony. Everyone gets a medal and a round of applause for joining in. Now, grab a refreshing drink and enjoy a well-deserved sit down. Phew! l

Will be Rocking into ARDINGLY ARDINGLY

SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOWGROUND 28th & 29th May 2022

Come and celebrate 19 years of Rock ’n’ Roll with the Jukebox & Retro Fair, formerly at Brighton Racecourse, now at our new home – The South of England Showground, so we can offer you overnight camping and make your dogs welcome too. Come and join us for jukeboxes, neons, gas pumps, coin-op, records, vintage clothing, Americana and more

✭ Indoor and outdoor market, classic car boot pitches ✭ Live music from 3 bands each day, dance floor, djs Big Paul and Jivin Jim Dandy ✭ Licensed bars, food & drink ✭ Jive competition on Saturday hosted by Brighton Jive, plus a free Stroll lesson with Dance Central ✭ Sunday there’s a best dressed competition – so dress to impress or come as comfy as you like ✭ Classic cars and bikes on display and bouncy castles for children ✭ £15 entry per day and kids go free

A mix of indoors and outdoors – so rain doesn’t stop play For more details follow our website www.jukeboxfair.co.uk or our Facebook page

Forest Rose Flowers

Forest Rose Flowers is a beautiful shop packed with gorgeous bouquets designed to your exact requirements, from posies to large arrangements. Find us on Hartfield Road, Forest Row www.forestroseflowers.co.uk

Cobblers of Battle

Discover our high-quality collection of ladies shoes, bags and accessories. Carefully chosen from a wide range of top brands, we focus on style and comfort! 35 High Street, Battle TN33 0EA 01424 773746 www.cobblersofbattle@aol.co.uk

Local Wildlife Artist

Claire Tomlinson is a local wildlife artist who creates environmentally friendly artwork, using homemade eco paints. She paints on linen and frames her work in driftwood collected in Sussex. ctwildlife.co.uk info@ctwildlife.co.uk

A JUBILANT

Local shops and businesses are celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

The Dandelion Clock Antiques Centre

12 Dealers on two floors selling pine and country furniture, antiques and collectables. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 to 5, closed Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. The Dandelion Clock Antiques Centre, Lewes Road, Forest Row RH18 5ES 01342 822335

Heyland & Whittle - Hope & Glory

Brilliantly British – The ’Hope & Glory’ home fragrance collection waves the flag with an uplifting blend of crisp lemongrass and tangy citrus reed diffusers, candles, and two sizes of luxurious palm free soaps. www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk

Hurstwood Cider

Lightly sparkling modern ciders made from blending Kent and Sussex grown dessert apples and traditional bittersweet varieties. Full of character with extra depth of flavour. www.hurstwoodcider.co.uk 01825 733 733

The Lights of Leicester Square

“If you love the movies, you will relish this book over and over again.” Michael Grade. Royalty! Celebrities! The golden years of West End cinema! £35.00 available from www.wightdiamondpress.com or https://bit.ly/3D0iTuT

Sew Stitch ’n’ Clean

As skilled and experienced specialists in vintage garment restoration and repair. We deal with the very tricky and unusual fabrics for your unique and delicate heirlooms. Unit 3 Chelsea Arcade 8 - 14 The Broadway, Haywards Heath RH16 3AP www.sewsitchandclean.co.uk 01444 459106

Horsham Chamber Choir

Royal Academy conductor Olivia Shotton continues Horsham Chamber Choir’s 2022 season with Into the Light, on Saturday 25 June at 8pm. Details and more on the website: www.horsham-chamberchoir.org.uk

Beautiful plants delivered direct from our Sussex nursery

Choose from a huge range of flowering and fruiting plants for indoors and out. Perfect gifts for summer birthdays and anniversaries. Packed by plant lovers with a choice of pots and a handwritten greeting card. 01825 721162 www.plants4presents.co.uk

Riverside Brewery

Ideal for a party! To celebrate 70 years of rule, why not grab a 7.0% Platinum Jubilee Monarch Ale? £25 for a 5 litre mini keg Call sales: 01903 898030 www.riversidebreweryltd.co.uk

Artspace Circle

Join our Art Course, make new friends while developing your creativity. We focus on the fundamental elements of Art, covering a range of materials and techniques. sheena.artspacecircle@gmail.com 07745 777110

Tree Frog

Wishing Her Majesty The Queen many congratulations and celebrations for this Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. Tree Frog, purveyors of furniture, gifts and the great unfound! www.tree-frog.co.uk 43 High Street, East Grinstead RH19 3AF

Derek Martin Photography and Art

Commissioned painted portraits by artist and photographer of animals and people from your reference photos or mine. Taking bookings now for celebration gifts or vouchers available. Facebook: Derek Martin Photography and Art www.derekmartinphotographyandart.co.uk 07547 673207