COMMUNITY spirit from a bygone era characterised celebrations in the Hanleys over the Jubilee weekend.

Saturday saw around 18 stalls set up for a village celebration in Church End, Hanley Castle. One of the most decorative was the red, white and blue stall run by 86-year-old resident Sylvia Bunch.

Books, cakes and refreshments were also sold but most of the stalls were taken up with children's games, including fishing for ducks.

Cream teas, a pig roast and picnics were enjoyed in the glorious sunshine by hundreds of people who came from the two villages, as well as Upton and further afield.

St Mary's Church bells, hand-bell ringers from the villages and a van-mounted mechanical organ completed the scene.

June Firkins, who helped organise the event, said several people said that the good-natured, friendly, "old-world" atmosphere reminded them of community celebrations 40 or 50 years ago.

"It was great," she said. "It brought everybody together, which is what we wanted to do. We were doing it for the villages. It was a village thing, for local people, to enjoy."

A dinner dance in a marquee in Hanley Swan continued the patriotic celebrations on Monday night, with 210 people attending. A raffle for prizes including Cromwell's chocolates and six bottles of wine was held to help pay for the marquee with any profits going to local charities and the refurbishment of Hanley Swan Village Hall. Diners were able to see the Jubilee beacon being lit at 10pm. A buffet was laid on by Upton caterers Bishops.

"It was for all age groups and everybody was dancing," said Mrs Firkins.