Coastal communities urged to join in Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is putting together an exciting programme of events to mark the unique occasion, including a civic service, a celebratory dinner, and the lighting of a Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon as part of a nationwide programme masterminded by Gorleston pageant master Bruno Peek.

Events unveiled today include:

• Thursday 2 June: Beacon lighting in Anchor Gardens, followed by fireworks 
• Friday 3 June: Civic Jubilee service at Great Yarmouth Minster, led by Revd Simon Ward 
• Saturday 4 June: Formal Jubilee Dinner at Great Yarmouth Town Hall 
• Sunday 5 June: Big Jubilee Lunch events at St George's Park in Great Yarmouth and Pier Gardens in Gorleston

The council is also encouraging people across the borough to hold their own celebrations as part of the four-day UK bank holiday weekend that forms the centrepiece of the celebrations.

People can hold their own informal garden and street parties as part of the Big Jubilee Lunch - visit edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-jubilee-lunch for a free planning pack for hints and tips. Events that include arts or sporting aspects potentially eligible for funding from Arts Council England or Sports England.

Great Yarmouth Mayor Adrian Thompson said: "The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is a very special national event, and we want as many people as possible from the borough to take part in the celebrations.

"As well as our formal and community events, we're encouraging people to get in the spirit and put on their own local events - it could be as simple as getting your family round for a party in the garden, or a larger community event that takes a bit more planning."

Full details of the borough council's civic events programme will be released later this year.