Patriotism abounds in Cricklade as Jubilee mosaic unveiled (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Patriotism abounds in Cricklade as Jubilee mosaic unveiled

4:00pm Friday 1st June 2012 in News By Laura Shack

CRICKLADE was heaving with patriotism at the unveiling of the town’s Jubilee Mosaic last night.

Hundreds turned out for the jubilant event, which included the release of 60 balloons by local schoolchildren the raising of the Cricklade flag and a rousing chorus of God Save the Queen.

Applause rained on the Saxon’s Rest community garden as the mosaic was unveiled for the first time by Val Atfield, the wife of the town’s beloved Brian Atfield who died from cancer last year.

The Saxon’s Rest community garden was the concept of the former councillor and Freeman of the town and Val said he would have loved the mosaic.

“Brian would have been so pleased that it has all come to fruition," Val said. "It was a lovely thought to be asked to unveil the mosaic because there are so many people who have put so much effort into making it.”

After the official unveiling, a “First Town on the Thames” flag featuring the mosaic’s design was raised to the delight of the crowd.

And Cricklade's schoolchildren were finally able to release the 60 balloons they had been clutching onto.

A powerful performance from The Cricklade Band sounded throughout the High Street and Cricklade’s Sing 4/4 community choir set the crowd off with a rousing chorus of God Save the Queen.

The event was completed with a final cheer for the Queen led by Cricklade’s town crier Chris Atkins and the crowd dispersed to collect free Jubilee mugs from the Town Hall.

The mosaic’s personalised design features the town’s famous fritillaries and a Saxon border as a nod to Cricklade’s history.

Along with a reference to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the mosaic incorporates the town’s motto “In loco delicioso” which means “In a delightful place.”

The design was thought-up by Cricklade Art Group members Ann Jelley and Ed Muir, and created by mosaic artists Debbie Stirling, Lucy Loquette and Yvette Green.

Debbie said: “We are so proud and excited to finally show it. We’ve been working on it for four months in total and thousands of tiles have gone into making it.”

Organised by Cricklade’s Court Leet and Cricklade Town Coucil, the event marks the start of a mass of patriotic events set to fill the town over the Jubilee weekend.

For details on upcoming Jubilee events in Cricklade, click on the Standard’s Diamond Jubilee website page.