Not a town to shy away from a festival, Swanage marked the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style with one of the largest street parties along the South Coast.
With the weather dry and warm, if a little overcast, the day started early for some as the tables and chairs were delivered for the massive tea party that stretched along the length of Lower High Street.
Setting up early – a team of volunteers have put in hours of their time to make it all possible
Blessed that the rain held off
Many towns and communities elected to hold their street party or Big Lunch on Sunday 5th June 2022 but Swanage, always keen to be different, chose Friday 3rd June 2022 and were blessed that the rain held off.
With all the 600 tickets sold out weeks ago for the tea party, anyone who wanted to still join in was invited to bring a picnic up to Prince Albert Gardens, where there was entertainment including The Swanage Town Band and the Allsort’d Choir.
Double banked tables along Lower High Street in Swanage
All day entertainment
Across the town there were other performers including Kelp shanty singers, Nicole Faraday, Karen Grant, Beharah Belly Dancers, and Karl Lattimer.
In the evening the well-known local band The Reptiles entertained the crowd at Prince Albert Gardens.
The town was packed with locals and visitors all getting into the party spirit and there were plenty of others stuck in vehicles at Corfe Castle trying to reach Swanage after a car accident resulted in delays.
Lots of people chose to head to Prince Albert Gardens for a picnic
Plenty of interesting stalls in Prince Albert Gardens including one by community radio station Purbeck Coast 101.2 FM, who were able to grab an interview with the Swanage Town Mayor Tina Foster
Local shanty singers Kelp perform by the Stone Quay
More happening over the weekend
While the weather looks more changeable over the weekend, there’s still more happening in Swanage and across Purbeck.
On Saturday 4th June 2022 in Swanage, the pirate festival continues and there’s a giant puppet show, while in Corfe Castle there’s a day of jubilee fun in the village hall.
On Sunday 5th June 2022 there’s street parties and Big Lunches planned for Studland, Corfe Castle, Church Knowle and Kimmeridge.
London, Rome, Rio, Swanage…
Swanage councillor Mike Bonfield (right) dresses the part
Member of the organising team Mandy McDonald (left) with co-chair Linda Welsh (right)
Watch the video of the start of the tea party
BBC South’s report on Swanage
More photos
