Colchester Borough Council is encouraging everyone across the borough to celebrate the Jubilee by holding a street party, attending an event or making bunting to hang in their windows at home.
The Queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. Celebrations will culminate in a four-day bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.
Colchester has long had links to royalty, from being granted the first Royal Charter in 1189 through to the current day annual Royal Birthday Salute, which takes place in conjunction with the Garrison every June to mark the Queen’s Birthday.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tim Young, said: “Due to our military heritage, our town has a special connection to the Queen. I am sure lots of people will want to take part in these celebrations, hold their own traditional street party with their neighbours or watch the council’s beacon being lit. There are lots of ways to mark this once in a lifetime occasion and pay tribute to Her Majesty.”
Residents planning to hold small outside events or street parties can visit the council’s Jubilee street parties page to learn more about organising an event and the criteria for suitable roads.
To mark the start of Colchester’s Jubilee celebrations, bunting and flags have recently been installed along North Station Road, North Hill and the High Street.
There is a whole day of activity planned for Colchester on Thursday 2 June:
- 11.30am: Queen’s Birthday gun salute
- 12pm-4pm: The council is hosting a Community Picnic in the Park, a free to attend event, supported by Community 360 and the Anti Loo Roll Brigade
- 1.30pm: Unveiling of Castle Park planting and willow sculptures
- 2pm: Town Crier reading the proclamation
- 9pm: The Town Hall, Castle, Jumbo & Mercury will be lit up to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
- 9pm: The Town Hall, Colchester Castle, Jumbo and the Mercury Theatre will be lit up to celebrate the Jubilee.
- 9.09pm: Piper playing ‘Diu Regnare’
- 9:30pm Civic procession to Castle Park, Bygler plays ‘Majesty’ and speech from the mayor
- 9.45pm: Castle Park Beacon lighting and a choir singing a ‘Song for the Commonwealth’ ‘A life lived in Grace
There is a national programme of events over the bank holiday weekend, more information on these can be found at platinumjubilee.gov.uk
Visit colchester.gov.uk/jubilee or Colchester Borough Council on Facebook and Twitter for more information and updates.
Page last reviewed: 5 May 2022