Where are you going to be next weekend? The Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II will be celebrated with a range of activities across the Blackmore Vale, and the UK, from Thursday June 2 to Sunday June 5. Using your postcode, visit platinumjubilee.gov.uk to find out what’s on in your area, and check out our mini jubilee journey around the Vale, highlighting some of the hot spots that you may want to visit, be part of over the weekend, or hey, even live in?
Over £22m of National Lottery funding has been used in communities across the country to help celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, including Sport England, Arts Council England, the BFI, and National Lottery Heritage Fund for a diverse range of celebrations.
Bruton has a Big Bruton Lunch planned 11am-4pm on Sunday 5 Jun, with tree planting at 12 and a pantomime Grand National horse race from 2pm. Check out purple Platinum Jubilee lights at the Dovecote at 9.45pm, and a beacon at Creech Hill. Thanksgiving service at St Mary’s on June 3, followed by a Jubilee Fair 11am-4pm with traditional Morris dancing, vintage cars, local food, and a free creative family fun event to make your own sculpture Jubilee Sculpture Celebration 11am-3pm at Hauser & Wirth Somerset. Fireworks at Roth Bar & Grill. On June 5, from 4pm, nearby Shepton Montague has a patriotic dressing up code of red, white and blue, plus wear a crown, with a prize for best dressed. Bring your own picnic, with Pimm’s and cake provided to Higher Shepton Road.
Wincanton are hosting a festival style garden party within the walls of the 18th century walled garden of Greening the eARTh gallery, June 3, 12- 6pm at 7 High Street, Wincanton. Expect a lively array of world music, art workshops, demonstrations, food and drink, or bring your own Platinum picnic. And don’t miss ‘Jubilee’, a unique exhibition of over 500 ‘postage stamp crowns’ artworks crafted and recycled entirely from found materials, by children from Wincanton’s two primary schools – Wincanton Primary School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel – working with Bootmakers local craft workshops. Presented by Wincanton Town Festival (WTF) and commissioned by Greening the eARTh gallery, these unique artworks will be exhibited for a month from June 3 – July 3 at Greening the eARTh gallery, and further shops located along Wincanton High Street, as sponsored by SSDC.
Mere has a big free family event 11-4pm on Saturday June 4, that’s being filmed for future posterity, with open air live music in the Vicarage field, a barbecue, coconut shy, food van, and bar. A concert at St. Michael’s Church has a duo singing many old favourites from 2.30-3.30 pm, plus hand bell ringing, ukuleles, a flower festival, and local stalls in the churchyard. There’s also a 70-year poetry and prose trail around town, ad hoc theatricals, a vintage car show, lunches and teas at the Grove Buildings, following a peal of bells, at 1 pm, and an art exhibition. On the spot prizes will be given for best dressed dog, best hat design, and even best dressed house! Sunday 5 at 11am has a Thanksgiving service at St Michael’s, after which various street parties are happening.
Tisbury offer an endless array of displays and performances throughout the weekend. There’s a Jubilee jumble trail (June 2 at 10am), a Jubilee Quiz Night at the Boot Inn, Stand Up Comedy Show at Victoria Hall (£5, 7.30-8.30pm), finishing with a disco party, and beacon lighting in Chantry Field at 9pm. And that’s just Thursday. Live music and dancing, a car boot sale, prizes for Platinum Puddings, culminating with a 50s-style Jubilee Parade, Picnic and Party with fancy dress, classic cars, and village croquet on Sunday.
The little village of Semley sees the return of its popular traditional family fête on the village green on June 4 between 2.30-5pm with Pimm’s and pony rides; then Sunday June 5 sees the community’s first ever live music festival, with bands ranging from country and jazz to Brazilian funk, from 2 – 11pm. Fun for all the family, there’s vintage clothing, art, photography, handmade chocolates, painted glass, jewellery, eco products, plus yoga (pre-book), reiki healing, and children’s entertainment, plus endless refreshments. Festival wristbands from Semley Village Stores, £15 adults or £40 family, or online: www.trybooking.co.uk/BOEP
Celebrate in Shaftesbury with an evening BBQ, pizza or a picnic for the lighting of the beacon on Castle Hill Green after 9.30pm on Thursday, then come Friday 3, 1-10pm, there’s a free community event featuring Billy Boy Miskimmin’s Mercy Lounge and The Badger Blues Band, at Mampitts Green. After dusk, watch the Airborne Pyrotechnic Aircraft Display. Join the Shaftesbury Community Choir to relax and enjoy the music in the Abbey Gardens at 11am, 5 June. (this is the event paid for with an ad & called office late on Monday)
The village fete in Motcombe is bigger than ever – verging on a festival. From 12 noon-5pm on Saturday June 4, there’ll be live music, and an open mic, local choirs, endless stalls, games, competitions, and raffles at this not-for-profit event. The new village clock hall is the venue for cream teas.
Abbas and Templecombe have events planned for Thursday 2nd June and Sunday 5th June. Celebrations throughout the day, including church bells, children’s sports, cake judging, BBQ, disco, with the lighting of the 5m beacon on the Sports ground at 9.45pm. Sunday celebrates with the Big Picnic, a street party on the Sports Ground, with fun activities including falconry, tennis ‘tasters’, and live music.
With unique, far-reaching views South Cadbury is hosting a major event for South Somerset on 2 June at Cadbury Castle, the fabled hillfort home of King Arthur, as it lights its beacon to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The evening starts at 7pm with a BBQ on the village playing field. The Yeovilton Military Wives Choir and piper Ralph Kerr, Director of Music at Clayesmore School, will perform throughout the evening. Winner of the jubilee raffle will be announced at 8.30pm for the unique opportunity to light the Cadbury Castle Jubilee Beacon. By 9.30pm, everyone will have either walked or taken provided transport to the top of the hill, led by the stirring sound of a lone piper. Among the music to be played by Ralph Kerr, Director of Music at Clayesmore School, will be “Diu Regnare”, a unique tune written for the Platinum Jubilee by Piper Major, Stuart Liddell, the world’s leading piper. As the Jubilee Beacon is lit, Yeovilton Military Wives Choir will sing “A Life Lived with Grace,” winner of the Song for the Commonwealth competition.
Wyndham Hill, a beauty spot in Yeovil’s 127-acre Country Park will light a beacon on Thursday evening. A free community event for all the family on Friday June 3, 12 noon-8pm, with live music, line dancing, community stalls, craft activities, food and bars will be at Mudford rec, Chilton Grove.
The Sherborne beacon will be lit on Thursday evening, with a service at Sherborne Abbey on Friday June 3. Cheap Street on the 4th sees shop window competitions and a street market, while Sherborne Community Kitchen will hold a Platinum Big Lunch with free parking in town. Dorset Council no longer accept applications for street parties, but visit www.streetparty.org.uk/guide/street-meet/ if you need advice on managing a bigger group without closing a road.
Pop into Pulham Parish village, ‘home of the Pulhamiens’, on Friday 3rd June who’ll be celebrating with hot air ballooning, a bouncy castle, rodeo, food, and live music at the Halsey Arms from 12 noon onwards.
Sturminster Newton is embracing the Queen’s Green Canopy project, with a newly formed town group inviting and receiving offers from the town council, housing associations, community groups, charities, local farmers and anyone with large gardens to help plant new trees. Focused on positive action towards global warming in their community, while celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee. On Saturday 28th May from 10-11.30am and Tuesday 31st May from 2.30-4pm, Sturminster Newton Library is hosting a free ‘Jubilee Crafts’ session, suitable for aged 3+. Call 01258 482669 for more information. Roads surrounding Golden Hill and Church Lane are both closed for street parties on June 5.
The beacon on Okeford Hill in Okeford Fitzpaine will be lit at 9.45pm 2 June in conjunction with the national lighting of beacons, with bar and refreshments available. At 3.00pm on Friday 3 there will be an unveiling of four blue plaques on buildings of historic significance in the village. The final plaque at The Royal Oak Inn, will be unveiled by Martin Oliver, the CEO of The Great Dorset Steam Fair, followed by a Steam Up of vintage steam engines, a BBQ and live band Loose Connection all at the Royal Oak. At 10am Saturday the 4th a walk of footpaths around the village will take place, taking in a call at the Fiddleford Inn. At 7pm there will be a dance in the village hall with live band The Sultans (see attached) tickets from sfincklaire@gmail.com On Sunday June 5 there will be a street party on Mary Gardens.
Blandford St Mary Parish Council have a free fun day from 11am-4pm Saturday 30 May, before the jubilee weekend with various stalls, family activities, while in Blandford Forum, the town’s commemoration group four-day programme starts on Thursday June 2 with a live music event on Langton Meadows from 2-10pm with music from The Mangledwurzels, Dirty Little Habit, EchoHead and Loose Connections. It will culminate in the lighting of a beacon on the top of the railway arches, timing in with beacon lightings nationwide, including that on top of Hambledon Hill between Child Okeford and Shroton, where there will also be a barbecue.
On Friday June 3 at 10am, there’s a Thanksgiving Service, again on Langton Meadows, followed by a tree planting in the churchyard of Blandford Parish Church. Don’t miss ‘Blandford during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II’ in the Corn Exchange from 10am to 5pm Fri/Sat, with various organisations and community groups invited to share their activities over the last 70 years. On Saturday there will also be a children’s treasure hunt in the Woodhouse Gardens from 10am-1pm.
On Sunday, the Mayor’s Family Fun Day, 12 noon-5pm, on the grass of the Marsh & Ham will include live entertainment, stalls, a duck race, and a competition to find and race the best Jubilee Royal Barges created from recycled materials.
Bryanston and Durweston are uniting to share their celebrations which include a commemorative tree planting at 10am at the Old Powerhouse (Bryanston Club) on Thursday June 2, followed later by a celebration party, and a Jubilee Beer Festival on Friday at the same venue.
Pop to the marquee on the Parish Field in Iwerne Minster, where celebrations will include a ceilidh barn dance on Friday June 3 evening, children’s sports and competitions on Saturday afternoon, with picnics and teas (tickets required), plus an exhibition in the clubhouse of village life and the coronation, and a multidenominational service of celebration at 10.30am on Sunday.
Shroton have a Jubilee Singalong in the village hall on Friday 3, are judging ‘Jubilee Crowns’ on Sat 3, to be worn at The Party on the Glebe on Sunday 5: fancy dress is welcome. The Cricketers will host a celebratory Platinum Jubilee Beer Festival on June 4 and 5, including live music, stalls, children’s activities, and BBQ.
Stourpaine are planning a party and barbecue with entertainment and tree planting on the recreation ground on Sunday 5, and Pimperne has a party in the car park outside the village hall on Sunday 5 from 2.30pm. Tree planting by the Parish Council at 3pm includes a children’s entertainer followed by tea to which people are invited to bring food to share. The local Anvil Inn will hold an evening barbecue.
Residents in Child Okeford will be partying on Sunday 5 at a Jubilee Jamboree and Picnic in the Park on the recreation ground, and in Spetisbury, from 3pm, residents can enjoy a celebration afternoon tea in the village hall (tickets 07703 185633 or from the church).
In Dorchester there’s a Jubilee Family Fun Day, Borough Gardens on Thursday 2, from 9am, with Punch & Judy, face painting, the Durnovaria Silver Band, a bungee run, inflatable challenge game, arts and crafts and a royal treasure hunt. There will be ice-creams and a cream tea stand with all profits going to charity. Head up to Salisbury Fields to experience the Jubilee Beacon lighting ceremony from 9pm. Come Saturday, from 3pm, watch the Jubilee ‘Party at the Palace’ Concert shown on a big screen in the Borough Gardens. Join St Mary’s church at 4.30pm on Saturday 4 June to enjoy a jubilant Choral Evensong. The music will be familiar from the Coronation, including ‘I was glad’ by Parry, the Coronation setting by Vaughan Williams, and music by Stanford and others. The service will be sung by the visiting choir In Ecclesia.
Catch Poundbury’s newly refurbished Jubilee Hall, where they’re hosting Art in Poundbury’s very own Dorset Art Weeks exhibition and art trail, led by Casterbridge Art Society and titled, ‘It’s Up to Us’ until June 1. Free entry, 10am-4pm artinpoundbury.co.uk. On Take a picnic and join in the celebration picnic for the Queens Jubilee celebrations at the Pavilion in the Park Cafe from 12pm, where there’s fun for all the family with free arts & crafts, best dressed dog & best hat prizes, live music and a Jubilee Trail.
Foot note
* Please check your local community for updates, venue changes, ticketed events and last-minute plans. This is intended as an inspirational guide and details may be subject to change.
Check out www.queensjubileebeacons.com for information on your local beacon lighting, then light a candle, dim your lights and look up! Over 100 beacons are expected to be seen lit across the many peeks and troughs via the Vale.
Ancient tradition of beacon lighting
A network of more than 1,500 Platinum Jubilee ceremonious beacons will be lit across the globe in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign next Thursday 2 June at 9.45pm
This ancient tradition of a beacon chain, associated with royal events including coronations, weddings, and jubilees, was once used as a means of communication, but has now come a symbol of unity across town bards, counties and countries. Beacons were lit in 1977, 2002 and 2012 to celebrater the Queen’s silver, golden and diamond Jubilees. “For the first time town criers, pipers, buglers and choirs from the UK and the Commonwealth will coordinate and join together in the celebrations in their own individual and special way,” says Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons. “It is wonderful to see the range of support for beacon lighting which will highlight both the diversity and the unity of the nation. The Queen has lit up our lives for seventy years through her dedicated service and commitment. We would like to light up the nation and the 54 Commonwealth countries in her honour.”
The principal beacon at Buckingham Palace, a 21-metre Tree of Trees sculpture for the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, will be illuminated by a senior royal late on Thursday 2 June, along with community beacons across the Blackmore Vale, the rest of the UK, and the capital cities of the commonwealth.
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