Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham yesterday (May 7) to mark their majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s Coronation.  

Taking place at the town’s recreation ground from 12:30pm until 10pm, families and friends of all ages gathered to enjoyed the free celebrations. 

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Those who attended were even able to watch the Coronation concert and light show at Windsor Castle on a big screen at the ground from 8pm. 

Anne Pallett, resident of Soham and Chair of Soham Coronation Planning Group, opened the event with Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Sue Freestone OBE, who gave an opening speech and read a letter from Buckingham Palace with their majesties' names in print on the bottom thanking the group for staging the event. 

Soham Coronation Planning Group formed by Anne consists of her and a hardworking and experienced team of seven volunteers who supported Anne's vision and worked tirelessly to bring this event to its successful conclusion.

Anne said: "Having heard Soham Town Council weren't going to do anything for the Coronation, I went to the Soham Community Association meeting to get some volunteers; I got four - Jenny and Andrew Fletcher, Georgia Griffiths and Jack Shorney, followed later by Roy Pallett, Tony Chouler and Alec Jones".

"Our treasurer went to the council and asked for funds and permission to use the recreation ground only because we were unable to use the pavillion due to the toilets getting damaged and vandalised in the past."

Anne's vision for the event was to get a screen for the Coronation Concert, making it a whole day of picnic lunch on the green, a few stands and a few traders as well as entertainment, and in the evening, the concert - that's just what happened.

"As you know, on Friday and Saturday the heavens opened; I actually asked the vicar to pray for good weather on Sunday a few weeks ago and you wouldn't believe it but we were blessed," said Anne.

"I wanted the people of Soham to have something jolly and also asked if those who use foodbanks could have free picnics, which we did by getting funds from the county council.

"We only had £5,000 for the screen and insurance but we sought local companies and managed to get more funds. The final figure has not been calculated but so far it has helped with the necessary bills.

"We just held out our hands and they kindly paid."

Throughout the event, there were perfomances from Viva, Boss Elite, KD Theatre, 4D Dance, Im ‘n’ Er, Tzarina, Michael Antony and guests, and Faith & Trace. 

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

For the younger children, there was a King and Queen fancy dress competition, a colouring competition, face painting, and a family funfair with an inflatable castle, hook-a-duck, bungee trampolining and shooting galleries and bumper cars.

Soham shops participated in 'find the Alien object'.

Many street food pop-ups were also at the big lunch and concert such as Cornercopia, Sabros, Verrecchia and Handy Plaice, as well as a licenced bar and community stalls. 

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Speaking about their time at the big lunch, a member of the public said: “Nearly 1,000 people came to the big lunch and concert. 

“It was a bit quiet to start with but as soon as the sun came out lots of people descended on the recreation ground.” 

They added: “It was a good, happy atmosphere with many families and friends attending.” 

Anne added: "It really was amazing how many people helped us. We're only a temporary group but everyone who was asked helped without fail.

"All members of the group also paid for items like banners and printings and did things on their own without asking for money from the funds, and everybody worked absolutely tirelessly.

"I am so so proud of them."

The traders and the funfair at the event all gave a percentage of their earnings.

A £500 surplus donation was made towards getting something for the primary children and any donations after that will be given to the Soham Community Association Jigsaw Magazine.

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)

Ely Standard: Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. Nearly 1,000 people enjoyed a community big lunch in Soham on May 7 to mark King Charles III’s Coronation. (Image: Christopher Scurrah)