To celebrate the Queen’s 70 year reign, events in Swanage are being planned across the June Bank Holiday weekend including a huge street party, with the whole town – from the young to the old – being invited to join in.
For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the town will of course be decked out in Union flags and the Purbeck Flower Group will be showing off their Chelsea gold medal credentials by providing hanging baskets.
On Friday 3rd June 2022, there will be dancing, a massive street party in the town centre and entertainment late into the evening. It’s hoped that traders and local residents will want to join in the party by decorating their windows.
Even the local bobby got in on the act at the Diamond Jubilee in 2012
“Tried to cater for all ages”
Linda Welsh, co-chair of the organising committee with Darren Strong, said:
“We have tried to cater for all age groups with our schedule, offering something for everyone but importantly trying to involve local schools from primary to secondary, because for most of these children, it will be the biggest celebration of their lifetime, and hopefully one they won’t forget.”
The Swanage School pupils are designing the front cover of the programme for the day, which should alone make it a souvenir to treasure. Primary school children will be dressing up in costumes to represent the various eras of the Queen’s long reign.
Swanage Railway is also expected to play a part in the celebrations. There will be a jubilee crown at the railway station and a carriage fit for a Queen in front of The Mowlem theatre.
Dancing in the street for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012
Street to be closed
Like in 2012 for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, lower High Street will be closed to allow for a massive table to be set up and provide space for entertainers. The road closure will be from 7 am to 7 pm on Friday 3rd June 2022.
The event was such a spectacle back in 2012, that BBC South Today broadcast live from Swanage.
The day will start with a church service of thanksgiving and remembrance for the Queen and also to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, which coincides with the jubilee commemorations.
This will be followed by music representing the last 70 years, with a stage in Prince Albert Gardens, where people are invited to bring their own picnics.
Entertainment from 11 am until 5 pm will include contributions from The Swanage School, June Ranger School of Dance, The Salamander Band, The Swanage Town Band, Allsorts Choir and the Maiden Oak ceilidh band.
In 2012, the WI dressed as Beefeaters
Games, cakes and stilt walkers
There will also be a bingo session at 1 pm and children’s entertainment throughout the day, including skill games, magic, storytelling and a hunt for members of the royal family.
Swanage WI is organising a jubilee decorated cake competition and there will be stilt walkers roaming around town.
In the evening at 7 pm there will be dancing with the Stevie Lowry Family Disco, followed by live music at 9 pm with well-known local band, The Reptiles. The day’s festivities end at 11 pm.
Tickets for the tea party in the street will be available from Oliver Miles Estate Agents in Institute Road from Friday 1st April 2022.
There will be a stage and entertainments at Prince Albert Gardens
“Momentous occasion”
Surplus funds from the event will be donated to two charities, #Willdoes and the Falklands Veterans Foundation. Humphries Kirk Solicitors is the headline sponsor of the event, with other money coming from fundraising activities by the committee, with the support of the White Horse Inn and East Bar.
Linda said:
“After the past two years of living through the Covid pandemic, we hope that this momentous occasion and celebration will lift everyone’s spirits and take away the gloom that sadly has overshadowed everyone’s lives. If it does, we will be really pleased.”
The Queen is the longest serving monarch of all time, the oldest monarch to ever sit on the British throne and the oldest monarch in the world.
Linda added:
“What a triumph! This is why we all want to celebrate and thank the Queen for leading our country over the past 70 years with dignity and duty.”
Just as in 2012, there will be plenty of music
