Select a region
Islanders are being invited to join an afternoon tea served at a table running the entire length of King Street, as part of celebrations for the Queen's 70 years of service.
On 6 February, Her Majesty became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, her other Realms, and the Commonwealth.
Last month, the Royal Household announced a series of events and activities which have been planned to celebrate this momentous occasion, with the focal point being the Platinum Jubilee Weekend in early June.
To complement the national programme, a number of Jersey events have been announced, with the programme having been designed to avoid and conflict with the live coverage which will be broadcast nationwide, including the Trooping the Colour in London.
It is hoped that, subject to the approval of the Government of Jersey and the States Assembly, the island will also enjoy a two-day public holiday to commemorate the Queen’s 70 years of service.
The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, published a proposition mirroring the dates put forward in both the United Kingdom and Guernsey, which would move the end of May bank holiday - Monday 30 May - to Thursday 2 June with an additional bank holiday arranged for Friday 3 June.
In the meantime the Bailiff's Chambers have released a list of the local celebrations, which you can find out about below.
“I am delighted with the programme of local events we have scheduled, to complement those organised by the Royal Household and I hope they will allow islanders to enjoy as many activities as possible, this should be a memorable weekend for all who choose to take part," the Bailiff, Timothy Le Cocq, said.
Pictured: The Bailiff, Timothy Le Cocq.
"We have focussed our local celebrations around three key themes: young people, to ensure they can enjoy and understand the significance of the Platinum Jubilee and to provide them with a lasting memory of this very British and unique celebration; the environment, to fulfil Her Majesty’s desire to protect and promote the environment, climate, and natural landscape; and tradition, to preserve and recognise Jersey’s longstanding loyalty to Her Majesty and the Crown.“
Pictured: The Lieutenant Governor, Sir Stephen Dalton and Lady Dalton.
The Lieutenant Governor, Sir Stephen Dalton and Lady Dalton will host the Queen’s Birthday Reception at Government House to start the weekend of events. The reception will include light refreshments and entertainment from the Band of the Island of Jersey and a 21-gun salute from the Jersey Militia.
Jersey will take part in the lighting of a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon as part of the coordinated national programme. The event will be held on Glacis Field (south of Fort Regent) and will accommodate up to 5,000 people.
It will run from 18:00 to 22:30 and there will be live music, food and entertainment leading up to the lighting of a virtual beacon (situated on Mount Bingham) at 21:45 that will be visible to both St. Helier and St. Saviour.
Imogen Nicholls, of Musical Originals, will be leading a choir of 60 island primary school children who will sing the ‘Song for the Commonwealth’ as part of the ceremony.
Pictured: There will be a pageant on Victoria Avenue.
The pageant will take place at 11:00 and will include a formal march past on the east bound route of Victoria Avenue by representatives from all uniformed organisations in Jersey. The march past will be reviewed by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and the Bailiff and will be followed by a drive past of vehicles representing the seven decades of Her Majesty’s reign.
Screening of the BBC’s special live concert from Buckingham Palace bringing together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars - details are yet to be released by the Royal Household.
The Very Reverend Mike Keirle, the Dean of Jersey will lead service at 10:00 at the Town Church.
A table will run the length of King Street for islanders to come and enjoy a large-scale Platinum Jubilee themed afternoon tea.
In addition to these events, there will be other highlights throughout the year:
A photobook is being developed to capture a cross-section snapshot of Jersey under Her Majesty the Queen. The book will focus on the themes of the celebrations - Young People, the Environment and Tradition within the island community.
A special commemorative medal will be awarded to 615 islanders who are serving frontline members of the emergency services, prison services and HM Armed Forces.
Acting as a token of the nation’s thanks, the Platinum Jubilee Medal follows a long history of awarding medals to mark Royal Jubilee’s, with the first one awarded to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign in 1887.
The Treasury and Exchequer will be issuing two commemorative coins whilst Jersey Post will release a single stamp issue commemorating the platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 1 June, subject to Royal approval.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.