A HUGE variety of photographs, documents, artefacts, and clothes from Upton's past and present took place at the Memorial Hall over the bank holiday weekend.

The exhibition in honour of the Queen's Golden Jubilee was organised by the town's civic society and called Then and Now: The Parish and the Nation. It attracted 1,560 on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

The first two stands were devoted to the Queen's reign, with original newspapers documenting her accession to the throne in 1952 and pictures, quotes and clipping spanning 50 years.

Then it was the turn of the nation itself, with documents and statistics showing how life has changed over the period with examples such as old coins and a loaf scale from what was then Pierce's Bakery.

The remaining 26 stands were devoted to memories of Upton, including memorabilia documenting the life of Newbridge resident Flo Bramford. Her position as lady's maid to the ladies-in-waiting to the Queen, Queen Mother and Princess Margaret meant she was given gifts by many foreign rulers. These included an embroidered courtier's woollen coat from the Wali of Swat, now part of India.

Prof Peter Pumfrey, one of the exhibition organisers, said he was grateful to Margaret Bramford, Flo's niece, for allowing them to used the artefacts.

The exhibition also included records of Upton dating back to Saxon literature of 925AD, oral reminiscences of old Uptonians and pictures of how the Queen's Silver Jubilee was celebrated in the town, which included the dress made for the Jubilee Princess of the day.

"The best thing is the collective that this represents," said Prof Pumfrey. "This is not just the Civic Society, it's the whole community."

Brian and Pat Dearing, who have been coming to Upton from Merseyside for their holidays for 22 years, said the exhibition reminded them of quieter days, when the town did not have so much traffic.

"It's really good," said Mrs Deary.

Meanwhile, a cruise for the elderly of Upton took place on Tuesday afternoon (June 4).

Jean Lewis, who organised the event, made individual posies for all 80 guests, as well as presenting them with a slice of Jubilee cake. The two-hour cruise on Severn Leisure's MV Conway Castle included music and singing.