22 May 2023

Southern Co-op Stores Show Remarkable Community Support in Coronation Celebrations

From Bristol to Kent, Coronation celebrations had extra fizz and pop thanks to donations made by Co-operative Food stores across the south.

Donations were made to more than 30 street parties and get togethers by Southern Co-op stores - an independent, regional co-operative.

Colleagues at Southern Co-op's Co-operative Funeralcare branches were also able to get into the spirit of celebration as they adorned their windows with displays and bunting which exemplified the spirit of community engagement and collaboration.

Southern Co-op recognised the Coronation as an opportunity for neighbours to come together, strengthen relationships, and create lasting memories.

It is hoped that the strong community bonds between the stores and the local community continues long into the reign of King Charles III.

A few examples of the numerous contributions made by Southern Co-op and its's Co-operative Food stores are listed below.

BERKSHIRE

LAMBOURN, High Street: Colleagues embraced the regal spirit by supplying quiches for the children of Lambourn C of E Primary School, allowing them to savour the food fit for kings. Furthermore, the celebrations at Lambourn Sports Club were made even more enjoyable with donations of tea, coffee, prosecco, biscuits, and bubbles.

WINDSOR, Arthur Road: Stepping Stone Pre-school's young children received a helping hand from the store with items for their Coronation party, ensuring a joyous celebration.

BRISTOL

BRISTOL, School Road: Residents of Cadbury Heath Community Group were able to celebrate in style, thanks to the generous supply of goodies from the store.

DORSET

BOURNEMOUTH, Castle Lane:  Club32 Line Dancing marked the Coronation with grand celebrations, and the store joined in the festivities by donating an assortment of goodies to enhance the event.

HAMPSHIRE

EMSWORTH, High Street: Residents of Oak Tree Drive, who raised funds for The Final Straw Foundation, were treated to a range of goodies generously donated by the store at their street party.

FAREHAM, Gudge Heath Lane: Community First celebrated the Coronation in style with a delightful cream tea, made possible by store contributions.

FOUR MARKS, Winchester Road: Picnic delights were donated to the Medstead 1st Rainbow Guides, ensuring their celebration was filled with delicious treats. In the spirit of community togetherness, colleagues also supplied squash pouches for the children at the Coronation village picnic in Four Marks.

GOSPORT, Palmyra Road: Brockhurst Primary School received a donation of squash, biscuits, cake, and crisps for their Coronation celebrations. The store also supplied cake-making ingredients for a Coronation Cake Morning at St Marys Alverstoke Parish Centre Regeneration.

GOSPORT, Priddys Hard: The store celebrated in style by donating Prosecco and nibbles to the Broderick Avenue Coronation Picnic Lunch.

HAYLING ISLAND, Elm Grove: A cream tea was organised for senior residents to commemorate the King's Coronation, with the store generously donating tea bags, sugar, coffee, butter, sweetener, orange juice, and tinned tuna for sandwiches.

LEE ON SOLENT, High Street: The Kennedy Crescent Neighbourhood Watch community group raised their glasses with bubbles supplied by the store.

NORTH BADDESLEY, Seymour Parade: Residents of Amberley Close came together for a delightful street party, and the store contributed by donating picnic essentials to enhance the festive atmosphere.

PORTSMOUTH, Copnor Road: To toast the health of the new King, the store generously supplied fizz and chocolates for a raffle held by the Fratton Park residents.

PORTSMOUTH, Northern Parade: Horsea Road residents organised a street party, and the store supported the event by providing an array of party food delights.

PORTSMOUTH, Twyford Avenue: The local Coronation street party organised a raffle to support their local food bank, and the store kindly donated items to contribute to this worthy cause.

PORTSMOUTH, Winter Road: Frensham Road Coronation Party received an assortment of goodies, thanks to donations from the store.

ROMSEY, Winchester Hill: The Trefoil Guild of Girl Guides celebrated the Coronation with a fizzy afternoon tea, and the store provided the necessary refreshments to make the event truly memorable.

SHIRLEY, Orchard Way: The store contributed tea bags, sandwich fillings, cakes, and fruit to the King's Coronation celebrations at Peter Kennedy Court.

TADLEY, Franklin Avenue: Children's sweets and drinks were donated to the Helping Hands Charity for a memorable Coronation Fete. Additionally, Southern Co-op provided milk for the Coronation Fete at Burnham Copse School, ensuring the event was a resounding success.

WATERLOOVILLE, Milton Road: The store lent a helping hand to local families near The Acorn Centre, ensuring they could celebrate the King's Coronation in style. Additionally, cream tea items were provided for a delightful tea party at Rachel Maddocks School.

ISLE OF WIGHT

SHANKLIN, Regent Street: The store contributed to the Big Help Out at the Wishing Well Site organised by the local Rotary Club by donating water, juice, squash, and cakes, ensuring that all participants could enjoy the celebration to the fullest.

KENT

ASHFORD, Louden Way: Ashford Pavilion Housing celebrated in style with a vibrant street party, and the store contributed generously by donating a selection of goodies.

SUSSEX

BOSHAM, Delling Lane: Store colleagues sweetened the festivities at The Holdens Community Group by donating scrumptious treats to their street party. Additionally, residents of Fairfield Close enjoyed the occasion with a generous donation of fizz. The store also contributed goodies to Hambrook Hill South, who participated in the Coronation Big Lunch. The residents of The Halt joined the celebration, receiving donations of crisps, snacks, soft drinks, and wine. Furthermore, a vibrant street party at Hambrook Place was enhanced with Southern Co-op's donations of wine, soft drinks, crisps, and sweets.

BROADBRIDGE HEATH, Wickhurst Square: The store provided an array of goodies for the Broadbridge Heath Gala Big Lunch, ensuring a festive and memorable celebration of the Coronation.

CHICHESTER, Oliver Whitby Road: Colleagues provided refreshments to the Parklands Thursday Club tea, ensuring that the members enjoyed a delightful gathering filled with delicious treats.

EAST WITTERING, Cakeham Road: The local Royal British Legion organised a delightful Coronation street party for the children, and Southern Co-op was proud to support the event.

EASTBOURNE, Lindfield Road: Willingdon Trees Community members revelled in a Coronation picnic, made even more enjoyable by the refreshments donated the store.

WADHURST, Sparrows Green Road: The store supported the local Commemoration Hall's King's Coronation Party by donating chocolates for a raffle, raising funds for The Mullins Fund.

WESTBOURNE, The Square: The festivities at Eldfield Close Coronation were supported by the store as they got together for the Snowberry and Camelia resident's lunch. Additional donations were made for a picnic for pupils and families of Westbourne Primary School and for The Big Lunch Street Party for Westbourne Parish Council. There was also treats donated for a delicious afternoon tea at the Forestside and Stansted Social Club.

WILTSHIRE

BRADFORD ON AVON,Winsley Road:Colleagues in store donated small sweets to the children at Christchurch Primary School for prizes for their Mini Coronation School Fete.

To learn more about Southern Co-op's community involvement and other initiatives, please visithttps://southern.coop/how-we-do-it/community.