Summer on the Mag in celebration of the Coronation brings together thousands

Thousands of people attended Summer on the Mag on 8th May in celebration of the Coronation. The community festival, which was hosted by St Mary Magdalene Church in partnership with arts organisation, Freshly Greated, and Magdalen Way Methodist Church. Photos: Rev Matthew Price

All the fun began at 1pm with an opening ceremony during which Lady Agnew, one of the County’s Deputy Lieutenants, read a message from their Majesties The King and Queen, His Worship the Mayor spoke of the importance and community and the Bishop of Lynn led a prayer for their Majesties.  The opening ceremony also featured a brilliant performance of “Coronation Day”, a new song composed specially for the Coronation, by the children of Ormiston Herman Academy
 
Rev Matthew Price, Vicar of St Mary Magdalene Church, said, “at the heart of the Coronation ceremony was the theme of service.  The first words we heard were from Jesus, that he came not to be served, but to serve; King Charles repeatedly promised to serve his people; and the Archbishop highlighted in his sermon, the members of the congregation who were there because of their service to their communities. And that was a theme which we carried forward into Summer on the Mag, where we celebrated all that was good about our community and the many organisations that quietly work to make it a better place”
 
Summer on the Mag brought together over 50 stalls and contributors, with local charities, organisations and businesses offering activities and sharing about their work. Gorleston on Sea Heritage group (GOSH) also held an exhibition in the church showing some of the history of our town, alongside a display by Great Yarmouth Model Railway Club
 
During the afternoon there was a programme of live performances on a stage outside of St Mary Magdalene Church, including local artists, Kuiper, Zak and Emily, Broadway Bellas and a number of young people just starting out as performers.  Street artists, including Granny Turismo also performed during the afternoon and Daniel Hanton’s Punch and Judy did three performances
 
A new addition for this year at Summer on the Mag was a special dog show, hosted by Pawzitive Partners with categories including, most obedient, best dressed, and the dog the judge would most like to take home. The best dressed dog category was won by Buddy who came dressed as a King in robe and crown
 
Rev Matthew Price continued, “at St Mary Magdalene we love the community we are part of, and we wanted host an afternoon that enabled everyone from within our community to celebrate the significant events in the life of our country which took place this weekend. We were delighted to be working in partnership with both Freshly Greated and Magdalen Way Methodist Church.  I am personally very grateful to the many people from within our church and the wider community who worked so hard to make Summer on the Mag such a success”

Do you have a forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in Great Yarmouth or surrounding district?  

If so, email judith.edmonds@ntlworld.com with details and, if possible, a suitable picture(s)