HUNDREDS of pounds were raised for local organisations during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Village green tea party organiser Terry Byrne said the number of people who braved the chill at the beacon lighting on Thursday was beyond expectation. 

He was equally pleased so many dodged the rain on Sunday afternoon.

He said: “My sincere thanks, on behalf of the lifeboat restoration group, to the army of helpers, too many to name, who made it all work; The Byrne/Steer families for the entertainment, transport, PA system, and barbecue, the parish council for support and help on the day, the Jeep owners for their display and support, schools, church and village hall for furniture loans and Winterton Primary School for bunting, backdrop painting and a great song and dance routine, all who donated prizes to the raffle and items for the stalls and the National Lottery Fund for help with lifeboat equipment in aid of the restoration and in support for our event.

“A massive thank you to our village for your support and generosity that has resulted in a £1,624 top up to our fund.”

A collection at the beacon lighting by Cllr Marie Hartley raised almost £230 for 901 Troop.   

A  delighted Capt Rachel Tooke said it would go towards the unit’s next planned activity.

“It was an extremely successful weekend,” Cllr Marina Carr reported to colleagues at the June full council meeting.      

The parish council put on and paid for the beacon event at the beach car park and the lighting ceremony was incredibly touching, she said. 

The council spent just over £1,000 on the weekend, not including volunteer time, she explained. Its role involved arranging road closures, a bus service diversion, risk assessments, obtaining gas, making sure health and safety regulations were met and advertising. “I genuinely believe that we got value for money and we helped put on a fantastic weekend.” 

Over the four days money was also raised for the church and the DEC Ukraine appeal.

She thanked all those involved in staging and hosting, including fellow councillors Dawn Clegg, John Smithson, Liam McMahon and Marie Hartley - dubbed the Geri Halliwell of the parish council because of her Union Jack dress.

She added the weekend would not have happened without Terry, his wife Eunice and his friends and family.