Massingham Coronation event planned by post office master

Great Massingham postmaster Mark Eldridge is pulling out all the stops to organise an unforgettable royal celebration for the village, close to Sandringham.

Great Massingham Postmaster Mark Eldridge is pulling out all the stops to organise an unforgettable royal celebration for the village, close to Sandringham (Image: Post Office)

Mr Eldridge, who also serves on the parish council, is organising an event on May 6 from 2pm to 10.30pm on the village green to mark the historic occasion.

There will be eight hours of live music, a lighting of the Coronation Beacon, family games, food and drink stalls, all in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Mr Eldridge said: “A year ago we were busy planning for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Little did we know that less than a year later that we would be preparing for the King’s coronation.

Great Massingham Postmaster Mark Eldridge (right) posing with Lee Nicol, and a cardboard cutout of King Charles - as the post office prepare to celebrate the coronation (Image: Post Office)

“The Queen was an amazing monarch. We were very sad with her passing, but now it is time to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. It is a great reason for the community to have a big get-together.

“We get very excited in Norfolk with royal occasions. We were delighted that King Charles chose to spend Christmas with the extended Royal Family at Sandringham, restoring an annual tradition curtailed by the pandemic.”

Great Massingham Postmaster Mark Eldridge is pulling out all the stops to organise an unforgettable royal celebration for the village, close to Sandringham (Image: Post Office)

The postmaster and his wife Kerry have been busy decorating Great Massingham Stores, Post Office and coffee shop at 14 Station Road.

They are also decorating their mobile Post Office which provides services to 17 rural villages and communities in North Norfolk including the village of West Newton, right by the Sandringham Estate.

Great Massingham Postmaster Mark Eldridge is pulling out all the stops to organise an unforgettable royal celebration for the village, close to Sandringham (Image: Post Office)

This will help other communities to celebrate the coronation during his visits to Harpley, Weasenham St Peter, East Rudham, Helhoughton, Hillington, Bircham, Whissonsett, West, Ingoldisthorpe, Snettisham, Sedgeford, Thornham, Burnham Deepdale, Field Dalling, Langham, Baconsthorpe, Weybourne and two visits per week to West Newton.