Southend: Festivals and fun for Platinum Jubilee

Families are also encouraged to host their own street parties for the monarch's 70 years on the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, and as the first ever British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, the Government announced the May bank holiday will be a four-day weekend taking place from Thursday 2 June until Sunday 5 June.

Southend City Council is holding a number of public events over the bank holiday weekend, which will include the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon, which will be lit on Thursday 2 June at 9:45pm, by the Cenotaph at Clifftown Parade.

In addition to this, there will be Music in the Park events each day of the bank holiday weekend at the Bandstand in Priory Park, with all performances featuring local groups, times are as follows;

• Thursday 2 June – Jubilee Festival of Brass between 1:00 and 6:00pm

• Friday 3 June – The Famous Potatoes between 3:00 and 4.30pm

• Saturday 4 June – Southend Vox between 3:00 and 4.30pm

• Sunday 5 June – The Show Choir between 3:00 and 4.30pm.

On Saturday 4 June Focal Point Gallery will be hosting Creative Open Day x 99 by 19 across The Forum and the outside square, a fun day for all to explore their creatively, filled with artists workshops, performances and screenings. All ages, abilities and backgrounds are welcome at the event free of charge.

Cllr Ian Gilbert, Leader of the council, said: “This really is a historic event as our Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne and as a council we are committed to trying to help communities celebrate in the best and safest way possible.

“Street parties are a great opportunity for people to come together on special occasions, and I am pleased that the council is taking the initiative to ensure safe celebrations for everyone.

“On top of this we have the honour of lighting the Queens Platinum Jubilee Beacon, which is one of many to be lit amongst communities and groups across the UK to kick-off the bank holiday celebrations.”