Thoughts are turning to ways individuals and communities can mark and celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year.
While February 6 marked the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne, the designated weekend for national celebrations is an extended Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday to Sunday June 2 to 5, 2022. This replaces the Spring Bank Holiday on the last Monday of May.
Street parties are always popular ways to bring communities together in celebration, with the dedicated day being on Sunday June 5, with people across the country invited to sit down together to take part in the Big Jubilee Lunch.
If communities plan their arrangements in line with this, they might want to consider how it ties in with the Platinum Jubilee Pageant at Buckingham Palace where "pomp and ceremony, street arts, theatre, music, circus, costumes as well as cutting-edge visual technology" are promised.
Sunday street parties will also cause minimal disruption to Council service delivery, since refuse collection arrangements will continue on the Thursday and Friday holidays.
For any street parties that require street closures, agreements must be made with the County Council’s Highways Department four to 12 weeks in advance. See Guidance at: www.gov.uk/organise-street-party
Chairman of North Kesteven District Council Cllr Susannah Barker-Milan said: “Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee will be a truly historic moment - and one that deserves a celebration to remember.
"Whether on a whole-town or village scale or as a street or a cluster of houses, the communities within North Kesteven are renowned for being supporting, collaborative and respectful. I have no doubt that they will make the most of this special, four-day Jubilee weekend, to devise spectacular, once-in-a-generation celebrations that bring people together safely in a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s reign.
“If this takes the shape of a street party, please consider how this can be done in a way that maximises enjoyment and inclusion for the entire neighbourhood, whilst nor restricting those who need to get about to carry out their own public service.
“Given our emphasis as a Council and as a District in promoting enhanced biodiversity and tree cover I would really encourage everyone to consider how they can respond to the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative by planting trees, hedges or bushes on a community or a more domestic-scale for both now and as a lasting and beneficial legacy."
There are further formal arrangements for other ways which communities can engage in, including beacon lighting and tree planting. If communities want to engage in those, they are advised to register their intent.
The Queen’s Green Canopy – tree planting, best done by the end of March.
A unique, UK-wide, tree planting initiative to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation which will benefit future generations. Planting projects can be uploaded on to an interactive map at: www.queensgreencanopy.org
There will also be a dedicated network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identification of 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
The Queen’s Beacons – Community beacon lighting, Thursday, June 2.
Building on the tradition and success of previous jubilees, community groups, organisations and even businesses are encouraged to join in with a chain of beacons the length and breadth of the Country and across the Commonwealth. followed by the suggested planting of seven trees on the beacon site. Registrations are to be made before May 30. There’s a guide on how to take part on the website at: www.queensjubileebeacons.com
Platinum Jubilee Pudding competition – to enter a competition to ‘design’ a Platinum Jubilee Pudding or cake to be promoted as the official sweet treat of the celebrations. Details at www.fortnumandmason.com/platinum-pudding. Closing date on February 4.
Church services – a focus on Church services is scheduled for Friday, June 3, in line with the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral. Details will follow from the Diocese of Lincoln at www.lincoln.anglican.org and from other faith groups.
Additionally, the public can apply to be involved in other commemorative activities.
On Thursday, June 2, it is Trooping the Colour held in full for the first time since the pandemic. Tickets are available to the public by ballot at [Broken link removed]
On Saturday, June 4, there will be a Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace, for which members of the public can apply to attend a live concert; billed as bringing together some of the world's biggest stars to celebrate the most significant moments from the Queen's seven-decade reign. The ballot for UK residents to secure tickets will be launched in February.
More detail of the main national events and activities at: www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-bank-holiday-to-mark-the-queens-platinum-jubilee-in-2022
Additional funding streams
Sport England has an Activity Fund to mark the jubilee, for projects promoting physical activity and engagement. Applications from not-for-profit organisations, schools and local authorities (in parish councils) to help inactive people to become more active and less active people to become more active; for sums between £300 and £10,000 towards projects able to start within six weeks of the award.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. See: www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/queens-platinum-jubilee-activity-fund
Arts Council England has the Let’s Create Jubilee Fund to support voluntary and community groups to develop creative and cultural activities as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The fund is open to voluntary and community organisations with charitable aims and working towards a common goal which does not have to be solely based around arts and culture. Grants between £750 and £10,000. Applications close on February 28. See lincolnshirecf.co.uk/grants/ to find out more.
