Southend celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Southend is planning to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style – and a whole host of events have been arranged where residents can ‘send her victorious’!

The High Street has already been festooned with patriotic red, white and blue bunting as the town prepares to mark Her Majesty’s 60 years as monarch. And to commemorate the occasion Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is presenting every infant, primary and special school pupil in the borough with a commemorative medal.

Nearly 14,000 children will receive the gold-coloured medals and their red, white and blue ribbons later this month.

The Council has also authorised 67 temporary road closures to facilitate street parties which will be taking place across the town from the 2nd to the 4th of June. And for those who like to tap their feet along to some patriotic music a programme of free concerts have been arranged for the Priory Park Bandstand.

The Tilbury Brass Academy will appear on Saturday 2nd June, with the Southend Band on Sunday 3rd, Tequila Swing on Monday 4th and the Becontree Brass Band on Tuesday 5th June. The three brass bands have been asked to include Jubilee-themed music during the concerts, which run from 3pm to 5pm, so look forward to some rousing, flag-waving numbers by British composers.

Local artist Debbie Hadley will also be running free drop-in art workshops at the concerts on the 2nd and 3rd of June. The workshops will be based on the theme of ‘An English Tea Party’ and participants will be able to make Jubilee-themed artwork such as flags to wave at the concerts.

In addition the Council is hosting the Southend Jubilee Cricket Festival from Friday 1st to Tuesday 5th June. Southend Rugby Club is kicking off the annual festival with its summer ball at Garon Park on 1st June.

The following day a Trevor Bailey-themed benefit event is being held for long serving Essex CCC all-rounder Graham Napier. Tickets are still available for both events. Contact Neil Harding on 07778-126098 or e-mail agh477799@aol.com 

On Sunday 3rd June the Unicorns, a side consisting of non-contracted players from Minor Counties, Universities and club sides, face Sussex in the Clydesdale Bank CB40 competition. And on Tuesday 5th June, Kent pit their wits against former Somerset bowler Keith Parsons’ team in another limited over game. Tickets for the CB40 games can be purchased online at http://www.southendcricket.org.uk 

The Council will also be providing financial support to the Scouts and Leigh Town Council for the beacons they are lighting on Monday 4th June. One beacon will be lit by the Scouts on the beach at Southchurch and another by Leigh Town Council at St Clement’s Church.

Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Derek Jarvis, said: “This is likely to be the only Diamond Jubilee celebration that any of us will take part in.

“It really is something for us all to celebrate and share in together and the programme of events we have arranged has something for everyone.

“The school children who receive the commemorative medals will be able to look at them in years to come and say ‘I was there’. They’re lovely keepsakes for a momentous occasion.

“It’s wonderful to see how many street parties have been organised and the Council is delighted to have been able to help smooth the way for them by agreeing temporary road closures.

“I urge everyone to make sure they get along to either the Jubilee Cricket Festival, one of the Bandstand concerts or one of the beacons to show how proud they are of our monarch.”

As well as the Diamond Jubilee events the Council has also launched an appeal for funds to purchase a specially-commissioned bust of Her Majesty. The bust, which will cost around £20,000, will be placed on public display outside the Council Chamber in the Civic Centre.

Any local organisations, businesses or individuals who wish to make a contribution can do so by visiting http://www.southend.gov.uk/jubilee