Surfleet man who baked Charles and Diana's wedding cake has made a special showstopper for Platinum Jubilee

A special cake with a royal influence will be the star of the show at one Jubilee event.

Confectioner David Avery has baked a showstopper for Surfleet’s celebrations which, while a big task, is easy in comparison to baking for the royal family.

Mr Avery is known across the world for having baked the five tier wedding cake cut by Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981 when he was working in the Royal Navy’s cooking school.

“If I had got it wrong, the whole world would have known,” said Mr Avery who has lived in Surfleet for nearly 20 years.

Mr Avery, who spent 22 years in the Royal Navy, started his career the minute he left school in Blackburn.

He went on to work for a high class confectioners where he learnt the basic skills needed to knock up a tasty cake.

However, it was when working aboard HMS Bulwark when royalty came calling.

“I had met Prince Charles when he cut the cake on HMS Bulwark and he said it was beautiful.

“A few weeks later I got the call to make their wedding cake.

“It took 14 weeks to make after I had taken a blueprint to the palace for Princess Diana but I had free reign when it came to the design.

“The recipe was actually my mother’s but I had added a few things and taken a few other things out. It was very stressful but of course I was very proud to do it.”

This wasn’t the end of Mr Avery’s brush with royalty.

The second bottom tier of the fruit wedding cake laden with navy rum went on to be used as Prince William’s christening cake and Mr Avery was later asked to bake the future King’s first birthday cake.

However, next week his baked triumph will be the centre of attention at Surfleet’s Jubilee celebrations.

“I can’t say too much about the cake because we are going to do a guess the weight competition with it,” explained Mr Avery.

“I’ve been working on it for four to five weeks even though I don’t really do cakes anymore.”

At the celebratory event on June 2 at Glebe Park, visitors will be able to guess the weight of the 12 inch cake which will later be sliced up and sold off.

There will also be a raffle, competitions, bouncy castle, entertainment from the Pinchbeck Tappers and a ‘Throughout the Ages’ disco at the event.

With his tongue in his cheek, Mr Avery added: “It’s stressful making a cake as everything has to be right... but all of my cakes are okay I would say.”

Crowland shop celebrates Jubilee with window design

A royal visitor has made their way to Crowland ahead of the big event.

Sue Ellis and Geoff White, owners of Chemical Box in the town, have decided to give their shop front some regal flair with a celebratory display.

The eyecatching display, which features a cardboard cut out of the Queen, has already been capturing the attention of the town.

Sue, who opened the shop in September last year, said: “We’ve always done window displays for events such as Halloween or Christmas, so we decided we’ve got to do something for the Jubilee.

“It’s just something nice to do and it gets people looking.

“We also have a penguin in the window so he’s been added in to the display too!”

Sue and Geoff will be on hand during the town’s celebrations on June 5 (see information below) with sandwiches and cakes on offer in the shop.

Sue said: “We are really looking forward to it and seeing people out and about celebrating.

“It will be a great day.”

Send us pictures of your decorated businesses and homes by emailing kat.wakefield@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Corgi trail around Spalding town centre

On Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, some regal looking corgis will be visiting the shop windows of Spalding town centre.

And if you find them all, you will win a prize.

To take part all you need to do is collect your entry form from the reception desk at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens (open from 10am until 2pm each day).

Once you have your form search around the town for the eight corgis regally resting in shop windows and fill in your answer sheet with the name of the shop next to the corresponding number.

You can return your answer sheet to the reception desk at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens to collect your prize.

The first 100 participants to complete the trail will win a special prize containing a commemorative Jubilee pin badge and other lovely goodies. Prizes are limited to one per person.

Coun Gary Taylor, portfolio holder for communities and facilities, said: “It’s great to see what a range of activities, events and opportunities are being held to celebrate such a historic milestone as the Platinum Jubilee, with the extra-long weekend providing an amazing opportunity for residents and communities to come together and have fun.

“It promises to be a really memorable occasion for everyone who takes part, and I am delighted that we are able to put on things for the whole family to enjoy. I hope the weather matches the jubilant mood of everyone who comes along and takes part.”

What's on around South Holland over the Jubilee weekend

Spalding

June 3

Veterans’ Breakfast at the Woodlands Hotel, Spalding. 10am

An opportunity for veterans to meet and chat. There will also be live music from a singer.

June 5

Gathering of wellbeing groups at the Spalding Services and Social Club between 2pm and 6pm.

June 15

Special Jubilee trip to Westminster in London.

The bus will leave from the town’s Woodlands Hotel. MP Sir John Hayes will be on hand to meet up with the group during the day. All are welcome.

A cost of £25 towards the bus is required. Contact Jan Whitbourn by emailing jan@tulip-events.co.uk for more information.

Crowland

June 5, 2pm

The Big Lunch on North Street

There will be fairground rides, Dave the Clown, Empire & Crowland Cheer and Dance, Louise Holland’s alpacas, Crowland Family Butchers BBQ, Copper Kettle Jubilee Teas and the George and Angel will be serving drinks.

Music at 2pm from The Lovettes.

The road will be closed from 10:30am to about 7pm.

Deeping St Nicholas

June 3, 11am to 4pm

Platinum Jubilee Fete - St Nicholas Way, PE11 3TQ

There will be live music, bouncy castle, craft stalls, tombola, bar, BBQ and cakes on offer.

Kirton

June 4, 1pm to 10pm

Queen’s Jubilee Picnic in the Park - Kirton Town Hall Green and St Peter & St Paul Church grounds

There will be Jubilee tree planting, live music, including Matty Haynes and other artists, bouncy castles, games, stalls, burger van, ice creams, face painting, tarot reading, raffles and lots more.

All residents are invited to attend.

This is an open event and not ticketed.

Wyberton

June 2, 10am to noon.

Trooping of the Colour

Wyberton Community Centre (Parish Hall)

Watch on the Trooping of the Colour on the big screen with refreshments including cake.

June 2, 2pm to 5pm

Children’s Fun, Sports and Picnic

Wyberton Sports & Social Club

Family fun packed afternoon with children’s activities - bring your own picnic.

June 3, 10am to noon,

The Queen’s Thanksgiving

Wyberton Community Centre (Parish Hall)

Watch on the The Queen’s Thanksgiving live from St Paul’s Cathedral on the big screen. Refreshments including cake will be on offer.

June 3, 6pm to 7.30pm

Open Air Jubilee Praise

Wyberton Community Green (rear of Parish Hall)

June 4, 12 noon to 6pm

Wyberton Sports & Social Club

A family packed fund day with inflatables, refreshments, karaoke, and children’s craft stalls, BBQ and children’s lucky dip.

June 5, 12 noon to 4pm

Wyberton Community Green (rear of Parish Hall)

Bring your own picnic, entertainment for all the family. Prizes for the most royal table and best dressed royalty.

Book a table by calling 01205 351450 or visit the parish clerk, Val Austin, who is available Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 12.30pm.

- If you are holding a Jubilee event, let us know by emailing kat.wakefield@iliffepublishing.co.uk