Guildford Gets Ready for Diamond Jubilee Weekend

Published on: 31 May, 2012
Updated on: 31 May, 2012

Last-minute arrangements and finishing touches are being made ahead of this weekend’s diamond jubilee celebrations.

There are a number of events taking place in the borough over the next few days to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.

Castle Grounds head gardener David Black trims the carpet bedding that commemorates the London 2012 Olympic Games. There is a further bed that commemorates the Queen's diamond jubilee. Plants used in the bedding include ajuga, altanantha and alternanthera.

The event expected to attract most people is the torchlight procession, from the Guildhall to The Mount, to light Guildford’s jubilee beacon on Monday, June 4.

The free event, organised by Guildford Lions Club and supported by the borough council, is part of the national beacon lighting across the UK.

Stunning carpet bed in the Castle Grounds commemorating the Queen's diamond jubilee.

The procession will leave the Guildhall at 9.30pm and make its way down the High Street to The Mount. The Mayor of Guildford, Jennifer Jordan, will make a short speech before lighting the beacon in the large field at the top of The Mount between 10pm and 10.30pm.

Torches will be on sale from Guildford Lions at Tunsgate in the High Street from 8.45pm, price £5 each. All proceeds will go to local charities. The event will be over by about 10.45pm.

However, this is not the only beacon being lit in Guildford on Monday evening. St Francis’ Church in Beckingham Road, off Aldershot Road on Woodbridge Hill, will be lighting a jubilee church beacon – also at about 10.15pm.

Its beacon lighting is in conjunction with Premier Christian Radio’s Jubilee Church Beacons. There are about 1,000 churches nationwide who will be lighting beacons together. St Francis’ Church is the only one in the Guildford area taking part. So, if you don’t fancy the crowds on The Mount, you will be more than welcome to go along there.

At 8.45pm, St Francis’ Church is holding a service to commemorate the Queen’s 60 years as head of the Church of England. This follows a showing of the BBC’s Jubilee DVD in the church hall at 7.15pm with tea and cake. All welcome to attend. More details from churchwarden Jackie Drake-Smith on 07806 775974.

St Francis' Church's poster promoting its beacon lighting event.

Across the borough there have been at least 30 applications for temporary closures to public so that residents can hold street parties. It is expected that there will be further streets parties and similar celebrations in private roads and on privately owned land.

Other events celebrating the Queen’s diamond jubilee:

Circle Eight Film Group presents Royal Guildford and The Mayors of Guildford. Electric Theatre, Thursday, May 31, at 7.30pm.

Jubilee Celebration at Guildford Museum now until September 9, and Jubilee Selection Box at Guildford House Gallery until September 29.

Guildford In Bloom launch featuring a jubilee bedding display in the Castle Grounds on Saturday, June 2, from 11am to 3pm.

Guildford Amateur Theatre Association (GATA), Jubilation. Electric Theatre, Saturday, June 2, at 7.30pm. Stop press: sold out.

At the White Lion Walk Shopping Centre in Guildford on Saturday, June 2, visitors can take part in a royal treasure hunt led by ‘Henry VIII’ with a scrumptious edible reward from Millies Cookies waiting at the end. They will also have the opportunity to win a diamond necklace courtesy of the centre’s management. Union Jack flags will be given away and there’s free face painting

Musical Bandstand in the Castle Grounds (music will have a royal theme), Sunday, June 3, from 2pm to 4pm.

Surrey County Show, Stoke Park, Monday, June 4.

Guildford Farmers’ Market, High Street, Tuesday, June 5, from 10am to 3.30pm, with a diamond jubilee theme.

Jubilant June, live music from PPA singers at noon and 2pm on Tuesday, June 5, in G Live foyer

Be your Own Hero, two days of drama workshops run by G Live’s Young Producers on June 6 and 7, at G Live.

Are you going to a diamond jubilee event or street party? If you do and take some photos while there, why not send them into The Guildford Dragon News and we will feature them in a special gallery. Email them to: mgilesdragon@gmail.com