Croydon is almost ready for the historic Platinum Jubilee weekend – with residents busy preparing for more than 140 Big Lunch street parties across the borough and the bunting up on Croydon’s Town Hall.
This Platinum Jubilee year marks a local record for numbers of Big Lunch street parties, with the council waiving road closure fees to enable as many as possible to take place over the four-day weekend.
In preparation for a bumper weekend of street parties, the council’s parks team have visited 59 Jubilee sites on top of regular rounds to cut grass and ensure green spaces are ready for residents to celebrate.
Croydon Council is also hosting its own celebrations, with a beacon lighting ceremony tomorrow evening (2 June) – one of more than 1,500 Jubilee beacons that will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
The ceremony will run from 8:30pm, where Croydon will have its own beacon outside the Town Hall on Katharine Street, and spectators are invited to join Croydon’s Executive Mayor, Jason Perry, Civic Mayor Cllr Alisa Flemming and the Queen’s representative Colonel Ray Wilkinson to mark this special occasion. Prior to the ceremony, the Town Crier will visit North End to deliver a proclamation.
Many events have already been underway across the borough, including several for children and families hosted by Central Library. A special Museum of Croydon digital exhibit has also gone live today celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s historic reign with family activities, historic objects, and fun facts.
It’s not too late to get involved with local events and a full list of activities can be found here. Community-run events in Croydon can also be found on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee website.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon said:
“Croydon has certainly been busy gearing up for this Jubilee weekend and I look forward to joining residents in local celebrations as I visit street parties across the weekend.
“Its important for our communities to come together with their neighbours at these parties and showcase the strong local spirit we have in Croydon. The fact that we have a record number taking place this year, shows our sense of community spirit is as alive as ever!
“I want people to make the most of what’s on their doorstep over the bank holiday and have made sure council teams have stepped up grass cutting in our green spaces so residents can enjoy celebrating in their neighbourhoods and local parks.
“There is something for everyone in Croydon this weekend and I hope as many of our residents as possible will join us tomorrow night as we light Croydon’s Jubilee beacon outside the Town Hall.”
