Neighbours across Medway will come together to host Platinum Jubilee street parties over the bank holiday weekend.
Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations will see more than 60 street parties across Medway in a spectacular display of community spirit over the extended bank holiday weekend, from Thursday, 2 June to Sunday, 5 June.
A big weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations is planned in Medway, from the spectacular River Pageant to the colourful Rochester event - A Celebration of Dickens with a jubilee twist.
Street parties will see communities come together to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service, in the comfort of their neighbourhood.
Gillingham Street Angels will welcome residents to the Gillingham High Street Jubilee Street Party on Friday, 3 June, from 11am until 3pm with a range of entertainment for all ages. The high street will be a patriotic party with live music, street food, stalls and family-friendly fun including a gospel choir and a wrestling demonstration.
Rainham will also see a frenzy of fun with a Jubilee Family Picnic in the Park event. St Margaret’s Church will host a picnic, with residents bringing their own food and sweet treats, at Rainham Recreational Ground on Saturday, 4 June, from 11am until 4pm for all ages to enjoy. Residents will be able to go head-to-head in children’s sports day themed activities including tug of war and relay, sack, egg and spoon and three-legged races.
We encouraged communities to apply for a street party to celebrate the momentous occasion by waiving the road closure fee. The council’s highways team has been visiting street party hosts to ensure that everyone involved has a safe and enjoyable time.
Hosts have also been reminded of general rules when holding a street party, including start and finish times, to minimise the impact on other local residents. Please ensure that bunting does not restrict access for vehicles, such as fire engines and all that all decorations and rubbish are removed afterwards. Read the full checklist for street party hosts.
Celebrations to be remembered for generations
Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Cllr Howard Doe, said: “I am pleased to hear that communities across Medway will mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by enjoying street parties and lighting up Medway’s streets in the national red, white and blue symbolic colours. The Platinum Jubilee marks a milestone in history and I’m glad neighbours and friends will come together to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen with parties to be remembered for generations.
“I would like to thank council teams for assisting residents with the preparations required to host safe and enjoyable street parties across Medway. I also look forward to seeing residents of all ages having fun at the series of Platinum Jubilee events being held in Medway, and organised as part of our aspiration to become a Child-Friendly City.”
Bring some colour and fun into the community
Neil Charlick, CEO of Gillingham Street Angels, said: “The reason Gillingham street angels have decided to put on a jubilee party is we believe a lot of organisations have worked in difficult times over the last couple of years and this has affected the residents in Medway in many ways, we just wanted to put on a fun day to try to bring some colour and fun into the community.”
The community will come together
Reverend Nathan Ward, St Margaret's Church vicar, said: “This Jubilee weekend is a great opportunity for the community to come together after lockdown and celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Sports day in Rainham Rec is a great opportunity for families to come with a picnic and have a fun afternoon with all the traditional sports day races.”
View the full list of street parties in Medway.
Find out more about the Jubilee celebrations in Medway.