PEOPLE from across Leicester are being encouraged to get into the Jubilee spirit during the half term holidays by taking part in a scheme run by the Lord Mayor’s office.
As part of festivities and activities taking place across the city over the coming week, people are being encouraged to create artwork on the theme of crowns, and to submit photos of their work to the Lord Mayor.
There are plans to compile the photos into an online gallery, commemorating how the city marked the historic occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.
Ideas could range from crowns to wear, to crown-shaped cakes or pastries to mark this historic royal milestone.
Lord Mayor Cllr George Cole said: “This summer Her Majesty the Queen will become the first ever British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service.
“With the school half-term holidays and an extended Bank Holiday weekend to savour, it’s the perfect time for people to get creative to mark this historic occasion.
“We really want to see what people can come up with, from cakes and bakes to designs for their own crowns to wear.
“People can submit pictures of their designs to us, which we hope to feature in an online gallery giving a glimpse of how the city celebrated this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
People should send their pictures to lord.mayor@leicester.gov.uk
The activity is one of a range of events taking place in communities across Leicester over the coming days to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Newarke Houses Museum hosts some Jubilee Fun from 11am to 3pm on Monday (30 May), with a day of drop-in activities for young children. A £3 charge, payable on the door, applies for craft activities.
On Tuesday (31 May), Abbey Pumping Station marks the occasion with a Jubilee Railway Day from 12noon to 4pm.
Belgrave Hall’s beautiful gardens host a family-friendly Jubilee Garden Party on Wednesday (1 June). Children will be able to make a decoration for the Jubilee, create their own crown, and search for nature’s reds, whites and blues in Belgrave Hall’s gardens. Activities cost £3 per child (cash only). Bring a picnic and drop in from 11am to 3pm.
Getting the extended bank holiday weekend off to a flying start is a special event in Jubilee Square, celebrating The Queen’s 70-year reign.
From 6.30pm on Wednesday (1 June), a live show will bring some of Leicestershire’s finest performers together for a Jubilee party.
At 19:52 – the time chosen to mirror the year The Queen came to the throne – local dance troupes will take to the stage to showcase the dance styles of the last 70 years. A contemporary routine will bring the dancing to a close at 20:22, with a big finale promising to get everyone singing and dancing in Jubilee Square. Dance for The Queen is free of charge and everyone is welcome.
The following day (Thursday 2 June), there’s a chance to see a special Jubilee film at Abbey Pumping Station.
Cinematographer Rob Foxton has edited footage from The Queen’s coronation in 1953 and the Royal Tour of the Commonwealth to create a 40-minute film that will be shown in the pumping station’s small cinema.
The Jubilee Moving Picture Show will be shown at 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
There are also lots more Jubilee events taking place in local libraries and neighbourhood centres, including a Jubilee afternoon tea at the St Matthew’s Centre on Monday (30 May), a Big Jubilee Party with The Spark Arts at the Pork Pie Library & Community Centre on Tuesday (31 May), which will be repeated at St Barnabas Library on Wednesday (1 June), and an afternoon of Jubilee fun at the African Caribbean Centre – featuring 1950s fancy dress – on Saturday 4 June.
Full details of the community activities and other events taking place in Leicester to mark the Platinum Jubilee are at www.leicester.gov.uk/platinumjubilee
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