A POPULAR Halstead rock band provided the soundtrack to the town’s coronation celebrations.

Gazette: Cheers - Kerry Jones enjoyed the celebrationsCheers - Kerry Jones enjoyed the celebrations (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Smile - Catherine Chambers donned a patriotic hat in Halstead's public gardensSmile - Catherine Chambers donned a patriotic hat in Halstead's public gardens (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Celebrating - Katie Keogh at the free event in HalsteadCelebrating - Katie Keogh at the free event in Halstead (Image: Steve Brading)

Halstead residents were delighted to welcome The Beavers to the town’s public gardens on Sunday.

Gazette: Singer - The Beavers performed in HalsteadSinger - The Beavers performed in Halstead (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Union flag - Janet Poulter attended the event in HalsteadUnion flag - Janet Poulter attended the event in Halstead (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Grin - It was a day to remember for six-year-old Jacob ChambersGrin - It was a day to remember for six-year-old Jacob Chambers (Image: Steve Brading)

The five-piece band, from Halstead, specialises in 50s, 60s, and 70s music.

They also performed in the town as part of Halstead Town Council’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, as residents celebrated the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II in June last year.

Gazette: Musicians - Crowds loved The BeaversMusicians - Crowds loved The Beavers (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Clap - Fans joined in with the celebrationsClap - Fans joined in with the celebrations (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Happy - Claire WalkerHappy - Claire Walker (Image: Steve Brading)

The glorious sunshine proved a welcome change from Saturday’s damp conditions, although royalists weren’t put off by the rain, heading out to watch the coronation of King Charles III on a big screen in the public gardens. Both events were arranged by Halstead Town Council.

Gazette: Revellers - More than 2,000 people enjoyed the eventRevellers - More than 2,000 people enjoyed the event (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Dancing - Barbara StoneDancing - Barbara Stone (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Singalong - Partygoers enjoyed themselves in the sunSingalong - Partygoers enjoyed themselves in the sun (Image: Steve Brading)

Thousands of music fans descended on the green areas on Sunday, enjoying a glass of bubbly and a dance. Many partygoers rushed to dance in front of the bandstand at the end of the set.

Gazette: Enjoyment - The green areas were fullEnjoyment - The green areas were full (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Shades - The event was organised by Halstead Town CouncilShades - The event was organised by Halstead Town Council (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Bubbles - Loretta Dent enjoyed a glass of wine alongside the musicBubbles - Loretta Dent enjoyed a glass of wine alongside the music (Image: Steve Brading)


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Braintree councillor and Halstead mayor Jackie Pell, who was re-elected to represent the Halstead Trinity ward in last week's Braintree Council elections, opened proceedings and was delighted to see everyone enjoying themselves.

Gazette: Mayor - Braintree councillor Jackie PellMayor - Braintree councillor Jackie Pell (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Family - It was a day for everyoneFamily - It was a day for everyone (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Young fans - Winter-Rose Caruth, 2, Tommie Samuel, 5, Toddie Samuel, 9, and Kingston Caruth,12Young fans - Winter-Rose Caruth, 2, Tommie Samuel, 5, Toddie Samuel, 9, and Kingston Caruth,12 (Image: Steve Brading)

A Halstead Town Council spokeswoman said: “On Sunday Halstead’s favourites, The Beavers, played for four hours in glorious hot sunshine, constantly engaging the audience, encouraging them to clap and sing and dance.

Gazette: Together - Live music fans sung alongTogether - Live music fans sung along (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Packed - It was a busy afternoonPacked - It was a busy afternoon (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Hugs - It was the perfect excuse for friends to catch upHugs - It was the perfect excuse for friends to catch up (Image: Steve Brading)

“There were at least 2,000 people sitting on the grass surrounding the bandstand, covering every green area, enjoying a glass of wine or a beer and a snack, and revelling in the great music and the weather.”

Gazette: Party - The sun was shining in Halstead on SundayParty - The sun was shining in Halstead on Sunday (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Band - The Beavers took to the bandstandBand - The Beavers took to the bandstand (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Engaged - The audience joined in with the funEngaged - The audience joined in with the fun (Image: Steve Brading)

The town council thanked residents for being environmentally conscious, with its spokeswoman saying: “Council staff encouraged the audience to dispose of their rubbish throughout the afternoon, and as everyone left there was not a beer can, ice cream wrapper, or bottle in sight on the grass, which is so carefully tended by the Braintree Council gardeners.”

Gazette: Patriotic - The band's frontman wore a Union Jack blazerPatriotic - The band's frontman wore a Union Jack blazer (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Musicians - The band is a firm favourite in HalsteadMusicians - The band is a firm favourite in Halstead (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Conga - Halstead residents had a great timeConga - Halstead residents had a great time (Image: Steve Brading)

At one point, the ice cream seller had to call for backup, as the queue snaked across the gardens, while the coffee and burger sellers were also kept busy all afternoon.

Gazette: Gardens - The event was in Halstead's public gardensGardens - The event was in Halstead's public gardens (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Wave - Halstead residents at the free gigWave - Halstead residents at the free gig (Image: Steve Brading)

Gazette: Busy - Halstead's public gardens were packed fullBusy - Halstead's public gardens were packed full (Image: Steve Brading)