Once again Banbury did us proud and pulled out all the stops to show what a patriotic and spirited town we are all lucky to live in.

Thanks must go to a huge number of people who had the vision and will to make our Jubilee celebrations such a resounding success.

Firstly the town council and Jubilee committee, who have planned for the past year and the fundraising committee, who found the money to pay for it.

Over the weekend itself we cannot praise enough the hard-working and versatile town council staff, who were the unsung heroes. On Sunday the army of volunteers, including the service clubs and cadets, who help set up, cooked 1,000 children’s lunches, ferried the food and took down 1,000 tables and chairs. Radio Horton, who kept us entertained and informed and the various bands who braved the wet in smart uniforms and kept our spirits high.

Anyone who attended the magnificent church service could not fail to have been blown away by the organist and choir. Banbury braved the elements, took on the challenge and by sheer force of numbers, patriotic spirit and inner warmth, turned what could have been a damp squib into a day of friendly patriotic fun for all ages.

The final thank you must go to the thousands who turned out and made it a day to remember.

CLLR KIERON MALLON, chairman of the organising committee Tony Baldry MP, chairman of the fundraising committee Tony Baldry MP, chairman of the fundraising committee