FURNESS Lions got into a patriotic spirit back in 2002 with a series of events designed to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

A day of activities was held – which started with stalls and crafts and ended with a spectacular musical event – to raise funds for good causes.

The Mail, on Tuesday, May 28 in 2002, noted: “Flag waving, singing and patriotic fervour filled the Coronation Hall, Ulverston, for a special concert.

“More than 60 members of Ulverston Victoria High School’s wind band played a concert to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

“Saturday’s event was organised by Furness Lions as a Last Night of the Proms-style evening, closing with the well-known sequence of Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs – including Rule Britannia – followed by Parry’s Jerusalem

and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No 1 – including Land of Hope and Glory.

“The evening closed with the National Anthem.

“Compere was David Marcus and the school’s head of music Richard Butler conducted the band.

“The programme also included a selection of modern classics – including Andrew Lloyd Webber, some pop classics and the John Williams music from the Harry Potter film.

“The hall was full for the event and proceeds are for charity.”

There was more fun the following month as Furness Lions held its children’s dance competition at Forum 28 in Barrow.

There were categories for all age groups from new starters and juniors, to teenagers, adults and a class for mums.

Some of the biggest cheers were reserved for entries in the most entertaining babies competition – designed for youngsters aged under six.

This class was won a troupe called Big Top Parade from the Imperial School of Dance.

There was also plenty of support for troupes in the mother’s dance contest.

This was won by the Tank Top Terriers, from the Dance Tazia dancing school.

They appeared on stage in shiny blazers with school ties and either striped caps or straw boaters.

Other schools and groups with troupes in the contest included All That Dance and the Footloose School of Dance.

In 2002 Queen Elizabeth became the first British monarch since Victoria – in 1887 – to celebrate a reign of 50 years.

From February to August, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled throughout the United Kingdom, visiting 70 cities and towns, including Carlisle.

The golden jubilee Party at the Palace pop concert was watched on television by 200m people around the world.

More than 40,000 toolkits were distributed to people organising street parties.

One was held by 20 scientists of the British Antarctic Survey at a temperature of minus 20C. It included a game of cricket on the ice and sledging.