Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at two special events this week

The first free event, on Thursday 2 June, is the Jubilee Beacon lighting ceremony, in association with St Mary’s Church and the team behind the MFor Festival.

The night will see the lighting of the Beacon at 9.30pm in line with beacons being lit all over the country in celebration of the historic milestone.

However, the evening will start from 7.30pm, with St Mary’s Church welcoming people with a bell-ringing performance, followed by a service to celebrate the long reign of Her Majesty. This celebration will be attended by the Mayor, Councillor Abdul Amin, and Mayoress, Subena Akhtar, South Swindon MP Robert Buckland and Clare Garrett, Deputy Lieutenant for Wiltshire.

Councillor David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that everyone should enjoy.

“It is such a tremendous milestone that our Queen has been on the throne for 70 years and it is something that we should all celebrate.

“One of the biggest events will be the Pimms in the Park at Lydiard Park which will also be home to the Jubilee Beacon outside Lydiard House.

“If people don’t get to make it to either Lydiard event, I hope they celebrate the momentous occasion however they can.”

Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton said: “The Platinum Jubilee weekend is nearly here!

“It is going to be wonderful chance for everyone in Swindon to join in a host of celebrations marking Her Majesty The Queen's 70 years on the throne. 

“In between our local events there will of course be wonderful TV! We can watch the Trooping the Colour, the Red Arrows and a Balcony appearance, a Service at St Paul's Cathedral, The Platinum Party at the Palace, The Derby at Epsom, culminating in The Platinum Jubilee Pageant down the Mall on Sunday afternoon, featuring performances from Ed Sheeran, Sir Cliff Richard and of course Basil Brush.  

“Here at home, even more is going on. Starting on Thursday 2 June lots of Beacons all over the county are being lit, honouring our Queen's unique reign. Do try and get to a spot where you can see one.

“My thanks to everyone who has helped organise what is going to be a very special and busy weekend, and please join in as much as you can. I hope you will join me in sending Her Majesty every possible good wish for her historic Platinum Jubilee.”

But the celebrations don’t stop there. Friday will be the launch of Swindon’s biggest garden party, with the free Pimms in the Park starting off the weekend of celebrations with live music and activities for people of all ages.

A live music festival, fairground rides, activities including inflatable assault courses and bouncy castles and much more will be available as well as a chance to see classic cars and cars from the movies. The Dinosaurs are back after their successful Easter event and will be walking the park entertaining big kids and little kids alike.

Food stalls and cold drinks of all varieties will be available, while visitors will be entertained by some fantastic talent on the main stage.

The weekend will round off on Sunday (5 June), with a flyover above Lydiard Park from the Royal Air Force.

To find out more about the Pimms in the Park event, please visit: https://www.lydiardpark.org.uk/event/pims-in-the-park/

Both the Pimms in the Park event and the lighting of the Jubilee Beacon are free for people to attend.