Rushmoor community spoilt for choice with Platinum Jubilee weekend events
COMMUNITIES across the News & Mail patch will gather over the June bank holiday weekend to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Plans are well underway for a long weekend of local celebrations between Thursday June 2 and Sunday June 5, and Rushmoor residents have lots of events lined up to enjoy. Among the highlights will be a jubilee beacon lighting at the Wellington Statue, in Aldershot, on the Thursday evening.
The beacon is one of more than 1,500 being lit across the country and abroad in recognition of The
Queen’s reign. The event begins at 9pm and is open to all – culminating with the beacon-lighting at 9.45pm and followed by a short fireworks display at 9.50pm.
At Queen Elizabeth Park, in Farnborough, the Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park are planning a weekend of celebrations, including a royal torchlight procession on Thursday June 2 at 8pm, which includes a drink and jubilee bun.
On the Friday at noon, the Friends will be planting the last of 70 trees as part of the The Queen’s Green Canopy and there is also the opportunity to take part in a jubilee trail through the woods.
The Sunday will see a Platinum Jubilee Big Lunch picnic and entertainment in the park from noon to 2pm. For more details, see the events page on the Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park’s website.
In Aldershot town centre on the Saturday and Farnborough town centre on the Sunday, a special comedy street theatre called The Royal Visit will give shoppers the opportunity to meet the Queen and some royal Beefeaters on a walkabout, with a mobile royal carriage popping out a selection of regal tunes. There will also be free craft activities for the children.
Aldershot Traction Club will be hosting a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee festival on the Saturday from noon to 10pm at the club’s Weybourne Road base. Among the attractions lined up are a bouncy castle, inflatable games, tombola, face painting, arts and crafts stalls, music, food stalls and a bar.
On the Sunday there will be a Platinum Jubilee thanksgiving service at the Royal Garrison Church in Aldershot, beginning at 10am, which is open to all. There will also be a number of other Jubilee Big Lunch community events, including at the Moor Road Recreation Ground in Farnborough, Osborne Road Recreation Ground in North Camp, and in Manor Park, Aldershot. More than a dozen street parties are also being organised across Aldershot and Farnborough to bring neighbours together for the royal celebrations.
Further details about the jubilee weekend and how to get involved are available on The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 website.