Hammersmith and Fulham Council has announced plans to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, with main events happening during the first weekend in June.

The council says 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s succession to the throne and, to celebrate, events will take place all year, with the main focus on the extended bank holiday weekend of June 2-5, when millions of people up and down the country will be partying.

H & F Council is putting on celebratory events in Furnivall Gardens in Hammersmith, and Bishops Park in Fulham, on Sunday, June 3. On that day, the Royal Family will join a 1000-strong flotilla of boats in a royal pageant that will travel from Chelsea at 3pm up the Thames to Tower Bridge.

The full route however is over 13 miles long, including the mustering, which begins at Hammersmith, and the dispersal areas, which finally end at Greenwich Royal Naval College.

Furnivall Gardens will be the centre of attention for Hammersmith residents who want to view the pageant on a big screen, and witness the gathering of the various boats.

There will be a vintage funfair, food stalls, Fulham Brass Band, and other entertainment. Bishops Park will also be holding a similar big celebration with entertainment and a big screen.

On the same day, Hammersmith BID will be hosting a large screen in Lyric Square for the Royal Pageant, and the following day, June 4, a beacon will be placed on top of Hammersmith Town Hall and lit in conjunction with thousands of other beacons throughout the country.

The council says there are now just three weeks left for residents to apply for a street party, with the deadline for complete applications needed by May 4, and adds that it l has made it easier than ever for people to organise their festivities by cutting the amount of red tape they once had to trawl through to plan a community event.

Cllr Harry Phibbs, cabinet member for community engagement, says: " Last year’s parties were an incredible sight and everyone had a fantastic time. This year, we are hoping that even more parties will be held, exceeding the 34 for the royal wedding.

"We have stripped away all the drudgery and hours of completing tiresome bureaucratic forms that used to be necessary when organising a small event, and instead local people have more flexibility and time to concentrate on the fun side of these parties – after all, enjoying yourself is the most important thing about having a party!"

To apply for to hold a small local event, such as a street party, visit the website or contact 020 8753 2480.

For a list of all confirmed events taking place in the borough for the Queen’s Jubilee, visit the council's Diamond Jubilee pages. More details will be available in the coming weeks.

 

April 19, 2012