One Chesterfield village saw it's Jubilee Gala do exactly that and prove so successful (despite the appalling weather in 2012) , that they have galvanised a thriving Community Association and a strong partnership with the local Primary School - resulting in New Whittington's first Village Gala for many years, which took place yesterday on Bank Holiday Sunday.
From 6am, the High Street - subject to local closure order from the council - was busy, with volunteers tying black bags to lampposts and setting tables in preparation for what was hoped would be a huge influx of people.
At 12 Noon precisely, in glorious sunshine, hundreds of villagers including parents and children from New Whittington Primary School, and led by Standard Bearers from the branch of the New Whittington British Legion, paraded through the High Street to applause and song (below), and a member of the Community Association Committee duly declared the Gala open.
The committee came about having been formed to direct and organise the Jubilee Parade last summer, but saw such a swell of support that it has continued to go from strength to strength over the last year.
The Chesterfield Post spoke with Philip 'Pip' Turner and Eddie Brusby, who were behind last year's event and who have helped to organise this year's event. They admitted they were delighted and honoured to have seen the response.
The weather was kinder than it had been last year - a fact which Eddie acknowledged first, "Compared with Jubilee Year last year, it's brilliant, fantastic!"
Pip joked, "We've all been praying for a year, so we got what we prayed for!"
Both men also told us that they had been only too happy to continue the good work they had begun last year in building up the sense of community in the village - with Pip praising the 'team' effort which had gone into the event, "We formed a Community Association - and this is down to the efforts of everyone involved and we hope we can repeat this in future years. We hope everyone has a lovely day, and we're looking forward to it!"
Eddie added, "The Friends of School (New Whittington) and the British Legion have joined together and been wonderful and without them, we couldn't have done it. Hopefully everyone will have a good day."
Asked how important community was to New Whittington, Pip said ,’ I think a lot of the older people have realised that time is passing and that if we're not careful, we'll lose the British way of life. We'e trying to bring that back! A lot of people are as well and let's hope that spreads to the younger ones and that they get involved in the community - as that's what Britain is all about - community."
Eddie went on, "Being ex-forces myself, it's lovely to come back and hopefully, especially with the Headteacher at the school (Steven Horsley) and everyone else helping, the young ones will carry on doing what myself and Pip have started."
The glorious weather continued and so did the Gala, with stalls, bouncy castles and rides on the High Street until 6pm - then live bands and music taking over in various venues within the village.