The Fernhurst Hub held its Royal Treasure Hunt for local children last Saturday (May 28), with numerous queens hidden on a winding pathway round the village.

Keen trailblazers set off with a map to identify their regal findings and ended up back on Crossfield Green at the ‘Royal Enclosure’ where the mini majesties were holding a Jubilee tea party.

On completing the hunt, each entrant was delighted to receive a royal ‘purse’ of gold chocolate coins, packaged in suitably festive Jubilee ribbon.

Many amused passers-by stopped to admire the scene, including an inquisitive cat, which remained predictably aloof despite being in the presence of Her Majesty, several times over.

Among those on the hunt were hub supporter Tessa Day with Evie, her daughter, aged three.

Tessa said: “The hub’s children’s activities are always great fun and my daughter loves being part of them – the royal-themed events have been fantastic so far.

“Evie always learns something on these fun treasure trails, from how to cross a road carefully to keeping her eyes open for clues and returning the filled-in sheets. Being rewarded with a chocolate prize is particularly popular.”

Earlier in the week, chair of trustees Antonia Plant and Pauline Colcutt, the long-time manager at the hub, had attended a Buckingham Palace garden party, an invitation extended to the hub after it was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in June 2020.

Pauline said: “We had a wonderful day – the palace gardens were looking wonderful with roses out in full bloom and we were able to glimpse their Royal Highnesses William and Catherine when they spent a considerable time talking to selected guests, many of them wheelchair users, near the palace and the Royal Marine bandstand.

“We took one of the knitted Mini Majesties with us, which added a new dimension to our royal visit.”