Fun for all the Family to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee!!

Newbury Town Council is pleased to provide final details of the various activities it is arranging for all the family, as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Newbury.

Cllr Arthur Johnson, Mayor of Newbury said, “I am so lucky to become Mayor just before the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and am really looking forward to taking part in all that is on offer – there really is something for everyone!”

On Saturday 2 June the Town Crier will be out in Newbury letting all the shoppers know that at 10am the Mayor will be at the Town Hall for the raising of the Union Flag, with a fanfare, to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. 

Inside the Town Hall there will be a Jubilee themed Coffee Morning from 10-12am in aid of the Mayor’s Benevolent Fund.  This Fund is supported by each Mayor to help provide for the elderly and needy of the town. Come and have a break from shopping with coffee and cake.

The Saturday Gallery will also be in the Town Hall from 10am to 3pm.  Local artists and photographers have been invited to display their work in a ‘Jubilee Exhibition’.  It will still be on show from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 3 June.

Meanwhile from 10am to 2pm in the Market Place there’s a stall for children to come and decorate jubilee biscuits made by volunteers including Falkland WI and Eight Bells for Mental Health.

At 1pm a guided walk around the northern boundary of the Parish of Newbury will celebrate the old tradition of Beating the Bounds.  Our town boundary is so long the walk has been split into 2 sections.  The northern walk today will be led by Martha and Tony Vickers.  The southern walk is on Monday 4 June.

Stay in the Jubilee party mood on the Saturday evening with Music @ the Bandstand.  This is a live music event in Victoria Park from 5pm to 10:30pm.

On Sunday 3 June 2012 Newbury Town Council invites you to come along with your family to Victoria Park from midday onwards.  Pack your picnic basket, bring your teddy and a blanket and come and enjoy all the entertainment provided by local groups, societies and associations to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

At noon there will be a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen with Watership Brass, our own town band, playing. They will also play for the official opening ceremony with the Mayor’s Mystery Guest at 1pm.   Other bands and local groups will join them to serenade us with a variety of musical styles and keep us entertained throughout the afternoon. There will be a music break at 5pm and then Music @ The Bandstand will continue until 9pm.

There will be royal themed fancy dress parade for children.  If you fancy something more energetic why not try ‘It’s A Knockout’ which is being organized by the local Boys’ & Girls’ Brigades and Guides & Scouts. 

There will be skateboarding and bike demonstrations at the skate park for you to watch.

If it’s a really hot day why take a ride on the water? There will be passenger boats on the canal.  The Newbury Branch of the K&A Canal Trust are bringing their long boat ‘Jubilee’, which was launched for Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee and has been redecorated for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Newbury Bowls Club will be opening their doors to potential new members.  If you’ve ever wanted to “have a go”, now’s your chance.  The bowling greens will be open to the public with experienced members on hand to give tips and helpful advice.  If you’re going to give it try PLEASE wear flat shoes to protect the lawn.

There will be work by local artists and photographers in a Jubilee Exhibition at the Town Hall.  The children’s art will be in the park with a chance for children to join in making a Jubilee Castle, painting bunting and making crowns. Next to the children’s tent will be a series of art demonstrations starting at 12:30pm.  The West Berkshire Giant Project will also be working on their puppets: come a have a preview before their parade on Saturday 23rd June.

There will also be a variety of stalls showing the wide range of activities and associations on offer in our community.  If you feel peckish during the afternoon the kiosk will be open and there will be other outlets with a choice of food on offer to tempt you including a hog roast and Foods of the World.

Giffords Circus will be resident in the Park from 1st to 6th June. There will be three performances of their show on Sunday while the other activities are taking place.  Visit their website for tickets.

The finale will be from 5:30pm to 9pm with live performances from youth bands at the bandstand to end the day on a musical note.

On Monday 4 June 2012 there is a guided walk around the Southern boundary of the Parish of Newbury led by Dave Stubbs will leave the Town Hall at 1pm.   The walk is approximately 8 miles and will return to the Town Hall.

On Saturday 23 June 2012, as the Diamond Jubilee Finale, Newbury Choral Society are putting on an Orchestral concert at 3pm @ St Bart’s School with various other choral groups and St Bart’s Senior Choir. The programmme includes music by British composers and a ‘last night of the proms style’ finale.  Visit www.newburychoral.org.uk for ticket information.