Lord Lieutenant flags up the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at district park
SOUTH Derbyshire has launched its Platinum Jubilee flag as the district hosts a series of events to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign.
The Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, joined Councillor Paul Dunn, council vice-chair, at Maurice Lea Memorial Park in Church Gresley for the launch of the flag at South Derbyshire District Council’s Liberation Day event, which took place for the first time in three years due to the pandemic.
The event included the Ashby Little Big Band playing nostalgic songs as well as plenty of red, white and blue bunting, jubilee-themed cupcake and biscuits and free taster sessions including royal games such as croquet.
The Lord Lieutenant said: “It is the first time in our history that we have celebrated a Platinum Jubilee and is an opportunity for us to thank Her Majesty the Queen for a lifetime devoted to public service.
“I am pleased to have launched the jubilee flag in South Derbyshire and am delighted to hear of the events planned for this special jubilee summer.”
The flag is one of six which will fly at Maurice Lea Memorial Park, Eureka Park, Swadlincote Woodlands, the Town Hall, Civic Offices and Rosliston Forestry Centre this summer to commemorate the jubilee.
Union flags and bunting are also in place in Swadlincote town centre and to commemorate the occasion.
The next Jubilee event is the jubilee beacon lighting at Eureka Park on Thursday, June 2. The evening event will include a parade and service of thanks with a piper, bugle player, Gresley Male Voice Choir, Royal British Legion and local uniform groups. Further events including a jubilee-themed Festival of Leisure and jubilee craft activities at Rosliston Forestry Centre are planned for the summer.