CELEBRATIONS are set to be in full swing this June as the nation marks the Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee.
The nation is being urged to throw the biggest ever thank you party during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee festive dour-day Bank Holiday weekend.
It is hoped millions will gather at street parties, host a Big Jubilee Lunch or get together around the county to thank the Queen for 70 years of service, but also to thank neighbours, family, friends, communities, the NHS and key workers for their support over the past year.
The unprecedented anniversary, the first time a British monarch has reached a Platinum Jubilee on the throne, falls on Sunday February 6, the date the Queen acceded to the throne on the death of her father George VI in 1952.
But, as has been the custom for Elizabeth II’s past jubilees, official commemorations take place four months later when there is a greater chance of warm, dry weather.
More than 200,000 Big Jubilee Lunches are expected to be staged across the UK – and South Cumbria is no exception.
Dalton Arts, Culture and Heritage have already announced plans for a Jubilee Party on June 4 in Market Place, Dalton.
The group is joining forces with Dalton Castle to celebrate the Royal milestone by hosting ‘Dalton’s Jubilee Pageant’ where there will be music, stalls, competitions and more, all in a 1950s style.
Waberthwaite Village Hall is planning a party on Sunday June 5 to mark the occasion.
A Jubilee-themed picnic is also set to take place in Millom to commemorate the special event.
It's hoped that the parties will recall the widespread festivities which took place across Cumbria in 1977, 2002 and 2012 to commemorate the Queen's Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee.
The event in 1977 saw hundreds of roads closed, bunting stretching from house to house across the streets, live music and delicious food being shared across Barrow.
This year’s Royal extravaganza will include a live pop concert at Buckingham Palace, a carnival pageant on the streets of London, Jubilee lunches, and the lighting of beacons across the world.
Celebrities Ross Kemp, Gary Lineker, Gareth Southgate, Levi Roots, Prue Leith, Alan Titchmarsh, Ellie Simmonds and Lorraine Kelly are among those backing the special Thank You Day on Sunday June 5.
In June, the traditional Trooping the Colour Parade for the Queen’s official birthday is taking place on Horse Guards Parade on Thursday June 2, beginning four days of historic ceremonies.
Sunday June 5 sees the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, where a dragon puppet larger than a double-decker bus, marching bands and circus acts will celebrate the Queen’s reign on the streets of London.
Organisers said the event, with a privately funded budget of between £10 and £15 million, is expected to be one of the biggest celebratory events held for decades.
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