The Worcestershire Chronicle and Worcester Journal of 4 June 1887 published long, detailed accounts of the recent celebrations held at Welland to mark Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of her accession. Following a thanksgiving service at the church in the morning, the villagers moved to the adjoining field, part of which is now Purser’s Orchard, lent by Mr James H Purser of Woodside.  A marquee 158 feet long accommodated 400 people, who sat down at 1.30 pm to a lunch of cold beef, veal, potatoes, plum pudding, beer and cider. Flower and fern decorations adorned the tables. Speeches were made and toasts drunk. Vicar of Welland, the Rev John M Donne, praised the ‘kindness, love and womanly devotion of the Queen‘ and claimed that ‘their children’s children would look back to the Victorian half century as the most glorious time in the history of this country.’ Colonel Sir James Johnstone declared that ‘during the last 50 years there has been more progress in morals, in religion and in the general welfare of the country than in any other 50 years in the history of the world’.

Tea was served at 4.00 pm to the 300 children of the parish. Various ‘old English games’ followed and there were merry-go-rounds, dancing on the green and swingboats plus a programme of races for the men and children. The band of the Worcester Regiment and the Upton Brass Band accompanied the day’s proceedings. A fireworks display rounded off the evening.

Funds for the event were raised by subscription and it was organised by the Rev Donne and the two churchwardens, Mr Ludford Docker of the Old Vicarage and Mr James H Purser. The ladies’ committee of Mrs Davis, Mrs Purser, Mrs Dent and Mrs Donne organised the tea and were also responsible for making 250 lbs of puddings and cooking the beef, this being done at Woodside. Mrs Ketteringham, landlady of The Pheasant, also provided refreshments.

Welland was reported to be the first village in Worcestershire to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee and the Rev Donne explained that this was because the people of Welland ‘were so overflowing with loyalty that they could not wait’. Events in other villages and towns took place around 20 June, the Queen’s actual accession date.