COUNCIL CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF HILLINGDON

This year marks Hillingdon’s Diamond Jubilee. Commemorations began on 1 April and will continue throughout the year. Hillingdon Council has organised a range of events for residents and visitors alike to celebrate this historic milestone.

How the borough came to be

In 1963, the London Government Act resulted in the abolition of the old London and Middlesex councils to form the new metropolitan area we now know as Greater London. This brought together areas from Essex, Kent and Surrey into 32 boroughs –12 inner and 20 outer London.   Hillingdon, the second largest of these boroughs, formed by the amalgamation of the Borough of Uxbridge and the Urban Districts of Hayes and Harlington, RuislipNorthwood, and Yiewsley and West Drayton.

Initially, Hillingdon Council comprised 60 elected councillors and 10 appointed aldermen. The aldermanic seats were abolished in 1978 and, until 2002, the council had 69 councillors representing 22 wards. Following several boundary reviews over the years, the council now has 53 councillors representing 21 wards.  Initially, there was debate on what to name the new borough - Uxbridge was a contender but Hillingdon was ultimately chosen, likely due to its central location.

The borough’s coat of arms was granted on 22 March 1965, and on 1 April 1965, the Local Government Act came into effect, officially establishing Hillingdon with its newly defined boundaries.

From 1965 to1986, Hillingdon operated in a two-tier local government system under the Greater London Council, much as we see in rural counties today with district and county councils. Since 2000, however, the Greater London Authority has adopted some of the council’s responsibilities, but the council continues to set council tax, collect precepts for essential services like the fire brigade and police, and deliver the high quality services residents expect.

Diamond Jubilee events

In Hillingdon, the commemorations started with a special service at St Margaret’s Church in Uxbridge on Sunday 6 April, which was attended by dignitaries and invited guests.

On 10 April, visitors to Eastcote House Gardens, one of the borough’s notable heritage sites, took part in a special trail to hunt down 60 treasures.

Throughout May and June, more fun, family events are being hosted across our libraries and heritage sites.

A pop-up exhibition highlighting the borough’s history during the past 60 years will be touring borough libraries and as the first stop, it has been set up in the foyer of the newly-opened Uxbridge Library in the Civic Centre.

A ‘Heritage Roadshow’ is also visiting all council libraries to record the memories of local people. Residents are invited to share their stories by booking in a 30-minute session and their tales will form part of a future commemorative exhibition and added to the council’s permanent archive.

A ‘Heritage Roadshow’ is also visiting all council libraries to record the memories of local people. Residents are invited to share their stories by booking in a 30-minute session and their tales will form part of a future commemorative exhibition and added to the council’s permanent archive.

Children are being encouraged to imagine and then build homes from both the past and the future during special STEM-themed Lego construction sessions in libraries with sessions taking place at various dates and locations during May.

The main event for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations is the Mayor’s Picnic in the Park, on 7 June at Cowley Recreation Ground. Residents are encouraged to bring a picnic and something to sit on and enjoy a range of entertainment, with music dance and family fun from inflatables to arts and crafts. Find out more at discover.hillingdon. gov.uk/picnic-in-the-park

The council also introduced a new parks enhancement programme to celebrate the milestone, with a £1 million investment in five borough parks for 2024/25, this includes Barra Hall Park, Hayes; Bessingby Park, Ruislip Manor; Churchfield Gardens, Ruislip; The Closes, West Drayton and Fassnidge Park, Uxbridge. More parks are set to receive upgrades during 2025/2026 through the scheme.

Community projects funded through the council’s Chrysalis programme, completed this year, will receive a special commemorative jubilee plaque. The Chrysalis programme invites residents to bid for funding on projects which enhance the community, from buying new playground equipment to the refurbishment of community buildings. Find out more at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/chrysalis.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: “Hillingdon has a wonderfully rich history, and this latest milestone has provided us with a great opportunity to bring communities together and celebrate the brilliant borough we all live in.

“Some great events have been organised with opportunities to explore the borough, or share your own memories of it, so keep an eye on the council’s website and social media channels for more details.”

Find out more about all the Diamond Jubilee events and activities at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/hillingdon-60