To help the party go with a swing and to boost community spirit across the town, free party packs are to be handed out to Swanage residents organising a street party to celebrate the King’s coronation.
Over the weekend of the coronation of King Charles III, from Saturday 6th to Monday 8th May 2023 everyone is being encouraged to take part in the Swanage Coronation Tea Fest.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Swanage in 2022 made national headlines for its huge tea party!
Partying in every street!
For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, Swanage put on one of the biggest street parties in the UK, but for 2023 there is a plan to do things differently, spreading the partying to every street or front garden in the town.
There’s a small organising committee of Linda Welsh, organiser of the Swanage 2022 Platinum Street Party, Caroline Finch, chair of the Swanage Chamber of Trade and Culvin Milmer of Swanage Town Council.
They will be able to provide support and advice to help residents plan and set up their own street celebrations. Individual organisers can decide on the time and on what day over the coronation weekend they wish to hold their event.
One of the Swanage Coronation Tea Fest organisers, Caroline Finch pictured here at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee party in Swanage in 2022
Linda Welsh (right) led on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Swanage, pictured here with fellow jubilee organiser Mandy McDonald (left)
Tea Fest Party Packs
Linda Welsh said:
“In order to celebrate what a fantastic community we have, we are encouraging residents to organise their own street parties with the support of funds provided by Swanage Town Council.
“Swanage Town Council has provided us with a small budget to support these activities through the provision of Tea Fest Party Packs consisting of paper plates, paper cups, napkins and party hats, all in patriotic red, white and blue!
“These party packs will be on a first come, first served basis, and although we will have plenty, once we run out, we will not be able to provide anymore.
“We can also help you to organise official road closures and provide tips on making it successful, it’s all very straightforward and Dorset Council are stating that public liability or risk assessments are not compulsory.”
The hope is to replicate the same community spirit seen at the jubilee weekend in 2022, but in a different way
Every road or area to pull together
Applications for road closures have to be made before Friday 31st March 2023 in time for the coronation weekend.
However, it’s being suggested that neighbours may find it easier to plan a party across several driveways or front gardens to avoid the issue of closing the road.
During the Covid pandemic, people volunteered as street reps as part of the Swanage Community Coronavirus Response group, getting shopping and prescriptions for the more vulnerable.
Now the idea is for every road or area to pull together but for a much happier reason.
Swanage held one of the biggest street parties in the UK in 2022
“This is about getting the community together again”
Linda added:
“Lots of people have had a tough time over the last few years and many continue to do so. This is about getting the community together again, inviting those who are often stuck at home or lonely, as well as getting to know new neighbours.
“Years ago, a friend had just moved to Swanage and it just happened to be the same weekend as a street party. They were invited to join in and to this day are still friends with many of those people that they met that weekend. It’s certainly a nice way to meet everyone!”
It’s hoped that Swanage will go to town with the royal decorations again for 2023
Coronation national programme of events 2023
- Saturday 6th May – Coronation of King Charles III in the morning at Westminster Abbey. There will be a procession from Buckingham Palace to the abbey and then a larger ceremonial procession returning to Buckingham Palace after the service.
- Sunday 7th May – The Coronation Big Lunch where communities come together to celebrate, followed by the Coronation Concert. This will take place at Windsor Castle and be broadcast live. As part of the concert, iconic locations around the UK will be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.
- Monday 8th May – The Big Help Out which aims to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the coronation weekend.
Swanage Coronation Tea Fest meeting
For all those interested in organising a street party or just considering it, there is a meeting in The Mowlem Show Bar on Wednesday 22nd February between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm.
At the meeting, the organising committee will be able to give advice and support to help make the celebrations a success and they will also have road closure forms available.
There will also be more information about the free party packs and how to apply. Everyone is welcome, just turn up!
Swanage’s huge tea party in 2022 – can Swanage do even better with a record number of street parties in the town for 2023?!
Further information
- For anyone who can’t make the meeting or would like more information now, the team can be reached by contacting the Swanage Information Centre, Shore Road, Swanage. Phone 01929 766018 or email welcome@swanage.gov.uk
- Contact may also be made on Messenger via the Swanage Coronation Fest 2023 Facebook page or by emailing Linda via linda.welsh152@gmail.com
