Churches to mark Jubilee with events across county

CHURCHES across Hampshire will mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with outdoor parties, worship services, music concerts, and special events.

The places of worship want to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's historic achievement of 70 years of service by remembering not just her sense of duty as monarch, but also her evident Christian faith.

The events, which also include picnics, family events, and community activities, are happeningacrossthefour-day bank holiday weekend.

Churchgoersandresidents in Denmead have knitted and crocheted around 2,700 red, white and blue flowers, which havebeensewntogethertocreate long lengths of bunting.

They will be cascaded around All Saints Church in Denmead in time for the village'sPlatinumJubileecelebrations on June 4 between 3pm and 7pm.

The vicar, the Rev Emma Racklyeft, said: ‘It has been an amazing response to our appeal for people in the village - and their friends - to get knitting and crocheting.’

In Portsmouth, a royalthemedconcertwilltakeplace at Portsmouth Cathedral on June 3 alongside a Jubilee concertwithSolentSymphonyOrchestra on June 4.

The cathedral has also organised a Big Jubilee Lunch on Cathedral Green from 12pm to 5pm on June 5, followed by a special Evensong at 5.45pm.

Other celebrations taking placeovertheweekendinclude a formal service of thanksgivingatStJamesChurchinEmsworth on June 4 from 3pm, a JubileepicnicatStThomasand St Nicholas Churches in Bedhampton on June 4 from 3pm, and an outdoor Jubilee lunch at St Luke’s Church in Southsea on June 5 from 12pm. Visit ww.portsmouth.anglican.org.