Upper Bucklebury pub plays host to world’s media on royal wedding day
Comments (0) There was a right royal knees-up on Friday at The Cottage in Upper Bucklebury, home parish of just married Kate Middleton, as licensees helped local customers and the world’s media celebrate the big day in style.
Joining regulars on the barstools on Friday 29 April were journalists and crew from the world’s media including ITV’s Daybreak Kate Garraway, Australia’s Channel 7 and the American channel CNBC. All channels streamed live coverage and reaction to the rest of the world as the country and Upper Bucklebury celebrated the ceremony.
Licensees Gary and Amanda Bush, who lease The Cottage from pub operator and brewer Greene King, invited local residents to toast the newlyweds alongside the TV crews with a day packed full of activities and entertainment for all the family.
Early party-goers were treated to free breakfast baps, setting everyone up for the day-long event which ended with a stunning £6,000 fireworks show. Customers watched the happy couple tie the knot on a giant screen while children were entertained with a rodeo, bungee run and football challenge. Candy floss, an all-day hog roast and barbeque kept energy levels topped up while a giant real ale tent and flowing pink champagne meant no-one went thirsty.
Licensee Gary said: “We were delighted to offer the local community a place to celebrate the happy day in Duchess Catherine’s home village. We’re the only pub in Bucklebury and wanted to really go to town, especially as we were playing host to the world’s media. It was a truly fantastic day and we thoroughly enjoyed toasting the bride and groom with our regulars and familiar faces from TV.”
The Cottage, run by Gary and Amanda since January also hosted a live broadcast by the Meridian news team the night before the wedding, with Daybreak and international teams broadcasting live from the pub on the day itself.
