Come rain or shine, we celebrated The Queen’s Jubilee
Tamworth hosted a series of celebration events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee during the four-day bank holiday, including bunting and craft workshops, a light ceremony, live outdoor performances, indoor shows and The Big Lunch.
The extended weekend kicked off on Thursday, June 2 and Friday, June 3, with free jubilee themed craft workshops with Maggie Carney in Ankerside Shopping Centre, followed by an evening spectacular with a Beacon Lighting Ceremony at Tamworth Castle.
A projection of flames transformed the outside of the castle into a ‘Beacon’ of light, accompanied by live entertainment by Tamworth Voices with a jubilee song performance titled ‘Song for the Commonwealth – A Life Lived With Grace’, and a bugler with a specially created jubilee bugle call ‘Majesty’.
The royal festivities continued Friday with families taking part in bunting making workshops at Tamworth Castle as part of the Platinum Path Celebrations in the Castle Grounds on Saturday 4th June. Evening entertainment rocked the Assembly Rooms with The Best of Queen – The Break Free Tour and a matinee performance of the children’s musical, The Queen’s Knickers, on Saturday afternoon.
The Platinum Path celebrations on Saturday, was a community-based event in the Castle Grounds which joined residents of Tamworth together to mark the historic jubilee. Visitors to the grounds were not put off by the dull weather as they enjoyed bandstand performances from local community choirs, kids’ jubilee themed story trails and games.
Families were also invited to take part in The Big Lunch on Sunday, June 5. This event was part of a countrywide Jubilee Big Lunch encouraging everyone to join for a picnic and celebrate.
The event was due to take place on the Castle Grounds lower lawn but was moved to the Assembly Rooms due to the wet weather. Locals and visitors brought their picnic lunches to the theatre auditorium and enjoyed an afternoon of live music on the main stage while celebrating the royal occasion with an informal lunch and partying with friends and family.
Visitors took to social media praising the event. Sammi Ann said: “Had the best time. Thank you so much Tamworth Assembly Rooms. Such a friendly atmosphere and the staff went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable and welcomed.
“The bands were fantastic, and the compere really kept the day moving smoothly. So glad we decided to still attend and enjoy or picnic in such beautiful surroundings.”
In addition to the celebrations a new garden has been created in the Castle Grounds in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The garden features gentle curving paths that take visitors on a journey through light feathery planting and includes sculpture and structures celebrating the Queen’s 70 years as a pillar of British Life.
Cllr Rob Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We were thrilled to bring some great community events together to mark such a momentous occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“The cold and rainy weather was not going to spoil our celebrations, so in true British style we rearranged The Big Lunch location to our fabulous Assembly Rooms, inviting visitors to bring their picnic indoors and enjoy an afternoon of live music from our theatre stage. It was lovely to see so many people joining together for a traditional afternoon of music and picnics.
“Bringing the community together in celebrating 70 years of the reign of our Queen has been such a joy to experience, especially after the past few years of pandemic restrictions. Thank you to everyone involved and to everyone who attended our bank holiday activities.
“Don’t forget to visit the new jubilee garden now completed in the Castle Grounds. A permanent memorial and tribute to the dedication our Queen has given to her country and her people.”
