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Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend: How will you be celebrating?

The first weekend of June marks Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and it’s no surprise that the East End is embracing the festivities with gusto.

When Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) was born in Mayfair 1926, none of her family expected that one day she would become Monarch. But in December 1936, when her uncle Kind Edward WIII abdicated and her father took to the throne, the day would come when she would become The Queen of the United Kingdom. 

The beginning of 1952 saw her father, King George VI, suffering illness, forcing him to abandon a proposed Commonwealth tour. Then, in February 1952, King George VI sadly died, meaning it was finally time for 26 year old Princess Elizabeth to be crowned Queen Elizabeth II. 

Now, seventy years later, the UK  has seen the truly remarkable work The Queen has done for our country. All over the four nations, banners are being prepared, cakes baked, music sheets organised, and chairs counted as the celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee begins.

But what’s happening here? We have rounded up some of the best local events, fit for a queen, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s seventy-year reign over the UK.

Street parties and local celebrations

Over the Jubilee weekend, a number of roads in Tower Hamlets are hosting street parties, including Ridgdale Street, Lichfield Road, and Victoria Park. Streets will be lined with tables and chairs, for everyone to enjoy some tasty snacks in celebration. There will be a number of competitions taking place, with opportunities to channel your inner Mary Berry or Vincent Van Gogh. These include: best cake; best model of a royal; and, best crown made of waste materials. Not only that, but the local community has collected nearly £500, and will be hosting an open event in Victoria Park with food, snacks, drinks, games, and music for anyone and everyone to enjoy! 

To find a street party near you, check out Edenprojectcommunities.com.

Want to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee by getting your heels on and fancy outfits out? Then head to Bethnal Green’s boutique Town Hall Hotel for a brilliant afternoon of celebrations. There will be an ice-cream cart, a pop-up bar serving summer refreshments, barbecue, and tasty nibbles, with delicious feasts starting from just £5. From 12pm-6pm, join guests, Pearly King and Queen, and The Henri Defoe Jazz Trio for an amazing celebration! 

For more information, visit: Townhallhotel.com/happenings/jubilee-celebrations-at-town-hall-hotel.

Lichfield Road has received a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to throw a truly spectacular bash! The street party is from 12pm-9pm on Saturday 4 June, and includes competitions and prizes. Not only this, but local legend Stan Jones, who sadly passed last Decemeber, will have his photos exhibited at Bancroft Road archives. These include all the incredible photos he has taken from the previous jubilee celebrations. An amazing opportunity to party with your neighbours and celebrate the local heritage!

Having started its journey on the 11 May, The Birmingham 2022 Queens’ Baton Relay will visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay, and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth. Thousands of Batonbearers, who have been celebrated for contributing to their local communities have carried the Queen’s Baton on its journey. On Sunday 5 June, the Queen’s Baton will reach the Olympic Park, so why not give it a visit!

For more information, please visit: Queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk.

Butley Court Community Centre is hosting a wonderful afternoon of Jubilee celebrations. On Wednesday 1 June from 4pm-7pm, there will be a number of jubilee activities including; a BBQ, Caribbean food, bouncy castle, funfair games, pop up museum and badge making workshop. There will be Halal and vegan food options. On top of this, the community of Tower Hamlets have spent the last three weeks collaborating on a unique work of art celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and local Tower Hamlets history. The intergenerational project will culminate in a special community celebration on Wednesday 1 June 2022. At the celebrations, they will showcase their artwork and residents of all ages and backgrounds can celebrate the historic milestone together.

More information on the event is available here: Halfmoon.org.uk/blog/celebrate-legacy-jubilee-celebration/.

Cranbrook Community Centre are really getting into the Jubilee spirit. On Saturday 4 June, from 2pm-5pm, they will be serving food and drinks for the whole community. Everyone is welcome!

Art and Music

On Sunday 5 June, the Victoria Park Friends are returning for their tenth anniversary bandstand season, with a free concert in Victoria Park. Along with the East London Community Band, London Metropolitan Brass Band, and 23rd Poplar Scouts, an afternoon of music will be available for everyone to enjoy. A fantastic free way to celebrate Her Majesty, for family and friends of all ages.

More information at Towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_Events.

A diverse collection of artwork of The Queen, titled ‘Jubilant Jubilee’, from a variety of classes run by local art tutor Virgina Hawke, is being shown at The Brady Arts Centre. Amateur artists from East London have been exploring historic UK events over the last few decades, including the celebration of The Queen’s other jubilees. Take a look at the history of our monarch through the wonderful artworks of those from the community.

Visit Towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_Events for more information.

Pubs and bars

Crowd of people in the beer garden at The Coborn in Mile End, East London

The Coborn has taken its Jubilee spirit to the next level! On Thursday 2 June, they are showing The Queen’s Birthday Parade on TV, with complimentary Pink Gin Freeze cocktails. Then, on Friday 3 June, there will be a charcoal grill BBQ, strawberries and cream, and Pimm’s. The weekend kicks off with a showing of BBC coverage of the Buckingham Palace Concert with either a bottle of prosecco and nibbles or a delicious steak dinner. Then, to close the celebrations, on Sunday 5 June, they are serving their classic roast dinner, with their royal-themed cult pub quiz. The winners will receive £70 to mark The Queen’s seventy years on the throne. Lots to choose from there!

To book your table, visit Thecoborn.co.uk.

Green Goose pub is holding bottomless brunch, from 11am- 4pm on the bank holiday weekend for locals who wish to celebrate The Queen’s seventy year reign with a glass of bubbly. For just £35 you can enjoy a three-course meal with complimentary Prosseco, along with bottomless Prosseco and boozy iced tea.

Book your table at Greengooselondon.com.

So there we have it! A truly royal line up of Jubilee weekend activities to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s seventy-year reign. 

If you liked this article, check out our guide to the best local pubs.

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