Glastonbury Abbey starts the town's Jubilee Celebrations

At 6pm on Friday 1st June, Glastonbury Abbey threw open its doors to the public and kick started the town's Diamond Jubilee Celebration in style.

1950's style in fact, as people were encouraged to dress up in their finest clothes from the era, bring along their picnic baskets and blankets and raise a glass of cider or tea to celebrate our Monarch's 60 year reign.

As the evening was balmy, hundreds of local people made the most of the free entry and the 36 acres of calm and quiet atmosphere, and took the chance to mingle and chat, picnic and relax.  In a small marquee fifties cover versions were played with great gusto by the unfortunately named duo D&C, while in the Abbot's kitchen a hilarious puppet show was put on for the younger children by one of the Abbey's Living Historians Dan Bradford, who also included plenty of amusing local history references for any adults who may have popped in to see what was going on.  Children could also take part in a Kings and Queens trail around the Abbey grounds.

Besides being a celebration of Elizabeth 2nd's 60 years on the throne, the evening was also a fundraiser for the Abbey's "Rescue our Ruins" appeal, that hopes to raise £500,000 for urgent renovations, and Abbey cider, hotdogs and ice cream were all on sale to help raise proceeds for this.

All in all the evening was a successful one, everyone appeared to enjoy the convivial atmosphere, and it was a pleasant way to spend an early summer's evening.

Some photos of the evening can be seen here.