COMMUNITIES across Leicester have been helping to plan a wide range of events and activities to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next month.
City council neighbourhood officers have been talking to local users, community groups and partners to develop ideas and plan celebrations to mark the Queen’s 70 years of service.
Groups have put in bids for ward community funding from the council to run their own activities, with 23 being awarded cash to put on celebrations unique to their neighbourhood.
And with the help of a donation of £7,000 from the Samworth Foundation, community centres around the city will be able to host a range of special activities ranging from a tea party and ‘Right Royal Bake-off’ to a Kings and Queens fancy dress competition.
The council’s neighbourhood services team has also been working with Spark Arts for Children to put on a production of Roti Moon, a piece of family theatre for children aged three and over, which will be shown at The Brite Centre and Hamilton Library and Community Centre on 1 June.
Cllr Kirk Master, Leicester assistant city mayor for neighbourhoods, said: “It’s important that people from every community can mark this historic occasion if they wish to. Thanks to funding from the Samworth Foundation, our own community ward funding and the support of other partners, we’ve been able to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the celebrations.”
Activities kick off in St Matthews on 30 May with a Platinum Jubilee party for the local community. The local tenants and residents’ association is working with the St Matthews Centre to put on the party, which will include refreshments, arts and crafts activities and music and games for children.
In New Parks, the New Friends Club will be holding a Jubilee quiz at the library on 31 May, as well as a Queen’s wardrobe arts and crafts session. And Team Hub is putting on a street party along St Oswalds Road on 2 June.
Jubilee workshops are already underway at Braunstone’s Brite Centre, where locals are designing themed bunting, flags and crowns with the aim of decorating the centre ahead of the big Jubilee weekend. The activities will lead up to a ‘Queen for the day’ event on 4 June, held in partnership with the Williams Creatives, and a tea party for families on Sunday, 5 June.
Eyres Monsell Community Centre will be hosting a garden party on 4 June, with the support of local community organisation Pink Lizard and the local Boys Club. After the party, a white lilac tree will be planted in the grounds of the centre to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee.
Events at the African Caribbean Centre will also take place on 4 June, and will include a 1950s themed fancy dress competition, cake decorating, and competition to design a Jubilee sneaker.
Caribbean food will be on offer.
Live music, exercise sessions and dance performances from local artists will take place outdoors at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday 4 June.
Some events are bookable in advance so people should check with their local centre that places are still available.
More details of the community activities and other events taking place in Leicester to mark the Platinum Jubilee are available here.
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