Picnics in parks, bandstand concerts and illuminated Council buildings are part of a host of celebrations being planned across Bath & North East Somerset to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Residents who want to hold a street party on the historic jubilee weekend can now apply to the Council for a road closure before the closing date of April 22nd. Apply at: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/holding-community-street-party-or-fete

B&NES Council is encouraging communities to come together for the special celebration to mark Her Majesty The Queen becoming the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. On the Jubilee bank holiday weekend in June there will be Big Jubilee Picnics in the Council’s main parks, beacon lighting ceremonies and services of thanksgiving to pay tribute to the Queen’s record-breaking 70-year reign.

Council libraries will hold special events including royal-themed story times and craft events with the libraries dressed like a street party. The mobile library will deliver activity packs to people not able to attend events in person. There will also be a ‘Big Jubilee Read’, celebrating 70 years of the Commonwealth with 70 books showing the diversity of communities. 56 schools are taking part in the ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’ creating a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership with the Council offering all schools a tree.

The extended bank holiday, from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June, provides four days of celebrations. In B&NES the events for each day of the bank holiday weekend are as follows:

• Thursday, 2nd June – Platinum Jubilee Beacons: Parishes wishing to light a beacon will have a proclamation by the Town Crier at 2pm before pipers play ‘Diu Regnare’ at 9.35pm. Lighting of the beacons at 9.45pm.

• Friday, 3rd June – Thanksgiving: A day of reflection. The Council is working with Bath Abbey and other faith groups on services of thanksgiving across B&NES.

• Saturday, 4th June – Bands will play at Parade Gardens throughout the day, and Bath city centre will be animated with live music.

• Sunday, 5th June – The Big Jubilee Lunch: Picnics in Midsomer Norton, the Royal Crescent Lower Lawn in Bath and the Memorial Park in Keynsham.