A party like no other – East Coast Jubilee plans

A party like no other!

Coastal counties are joining forces to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee this summer

February 2020 saw Her Majesty The Queen making history as the first British monarch to mark 70 years of service to the people of the UK, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Events are taking place throughout the year to mark this unprecedented anniversary, culminating in a special four-day UK Bank Holiday weekend from June 2-5. Kicking it all off in the capital, on Thursday June 2 more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together in the Parade that traditionally marks

The Queen’s official birthday (and is usually held on the second Saturday in June). Next day there’ll be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s 12 TheCoastalGuide 202212 TheCoastalGuide 2022

Cathedral, and on Saturday June 4 the BBC will stage and broadcast a special live concert from Buckingham Palace that will bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven-decade reign. Finally, on Sunday June 5 performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers will take part in The Platinum Jubilee Pageant, an important part of which will be a ‘River of Hope’ comprised of 200 silk flags appearing like a moving river as they process down The Mall.

There’s no plan to repeat the maritime parade

that took place on the Thames ten years ago; heavy rain tested the Monarch’s mettle that day, as 1,000 boats from around the Commonwealth took part in the largest fl otilla seen on the river for 350 years.

But along the East Coast, 2022 events organisers are hoping for better weather and multiple fl ag-waving opportunities, and planning for a host of celebrations is well under way.

The neighbouring counties of Essex and Suffolk, for instance, are joining forces for the Festival of the Sea 2022, on June 17-19 when, from Lowestoft to Leigh-on-Sea, there’s the promise of celebrations and parties up and down the coast. Events on and off the water include sea shanties, coastal walks, fi shing competitions and paddleboarding sessions. A particular highlight, however, is a parade of boats that will feature a variety of yachts from local marinas and clubs as well as vessels from organisations including the Royal Navy, Trinity House, Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) and the RNLI.

Convening at the confl uence of the rivers Stour and Orwell at 2pm on June 18, participating boats will pass spectators at Harwich Ha’penny Pier, Felixstowe Landguard Fort and Shotley Marina before dispersing off Ha’penny Pier at 4pm.