8 new cities
Record number of places honoured for Queen’s jubilee
A RECORD number of eight locations have been awarded city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The winners, who were lauded for helping “make Britain great”, include Doncaster in South Yorkshire, Colchester in Essex, Douglas on the Isle of Man, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, Bangor in County Down, Dunfermline in Fife, and Wrexham in North Wales.
For the first time, the contest was open to Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, with Stanley in the Falklands and Douglas of the Isle of Man given the prestigious status.
Stanley’s royal links were recognised as the Duke of Cambridge was deployed there and spent a six-week tour as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.
The winners were picked from 40 entries to the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition, and chosen by a panel of experts and Cabinet Office ministers, before a recommendation was put to the Queen.
They were also required to highlight their royal associations and cultural heritage.
It was Doncaster’s community spirit and “how residents rallied around to help one another” in the devastating floods of 2019 that helped them win their bid.
Flood victim and owner of Truffle Lodge Spa, Pam Webb, 52, of Fishlake, whose home and business were wiped out in the floods, said she was delighted. Pam, whose business is now doing “fantastically”, said: “This is wonderful news, to see Doncaster’s incredible community spirit has been recognised.” Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay said: “What was clear assessing each application was the pride people felt for their communities, local cultural heritage and the Royal Family. “I’m thrilled we’re able to recognise some of the many places that make Britain great. It is also incredibly reflective of Her Majesty’s global outlook that applicants from the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies have been selected for the first time.”
The contest for city status has taken place in each of the past three jubilee years, with previous winners including Chelmsford, Essex, Lisburn near Belfast, and Newport in South East Wales.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “City status is a huge accolade and I congratulate our eight brilliant winners. This competition showcases the best of Britain and the Overseas Territories and will act as a lasting legacy of the Jubilee.”
The winner for Lord Mayoralty status was announced, with Southampton’s Mayor entitled to be called Lord Mayor.