It was such a joy to join so many Twickenham residents and organisations over the bank holiday to honour Her Majesty the Queen as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Most of my time as MP has been in the pandemic, so it was so wonderful to be out and about for such a special occasion. The community spirit was just incredible.

I’m so grateful for all of the kind invitations to street parties across the constituency, and popped into as many as I could (for a grand total of seven street parties on Sunday!).

I sampled delicious food and sangria on Devon Avenue; admired the 1950s-themed costumes on the Dene Estate; judged a cake competition on Queen’s Road; chatted with residents on Grove Avenue and Cole Park Gardens; and listened to awesome music on Cole Park Road. I was even presented with the Cole Park Road Association Jubilee tea towel!

I was also delighted to attend a number of community events over the weekend.

At the St Mary with St Alban thanksgiving service, Deputy Mayor for Richmond Rhi Lee planted two quince trees as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

I had a lovely afternoon (with great music) in Teddington and Hampton Wick for Jubilee celebrations, and enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere (and bake-off competition) at Whitton High Street’s Jubilee party.

The fabulous school choir from Twickenham’s Archdeacon Cambridges sang at the lighting of the Platinum Jubilee beacon in Richmond, hosted by the Mayor of Richmond. And, last but not least, I was honoured to attend the wonderful party at the Royal Variety Charity’s Brinsworth House, where the baton for the Commonwealth Games arrived from Gibraltar.

Thank you to everyone for a memorable weekend of Jubilee celebrations! I was so proud of our wonderful community.