Celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Ramsgate
I think it is safe to say, Ramsgate is pulling out all the stops to make this truly momentous occasion one that we can all look back on with happy memories! Queen Elizabeth II is the first UK ruling monarch to reach such a milestone and we plan to celebrate it with bells on across the town!
Aside from all the street parties that are happening, there are several larger scale events for people to enjoy – in fact, there are so many, it has been a difficult task to get them all onto one poster! The chances are though, if you’re reading this, you might have scanned the QR code attached to the poster to find out more about each event.
So, without further ado, here is what you can expect over the 4 (and a little bit) days from 1st June to 5th. Below is some info about crownmaking workshops happening at the beginning of the Jubilee week, which happily coincides with half term so hopefully lots of our local (or visiting!) children can drop in, make something regal and join in the Grand Jubilee Parade on Friday 3rd at 2pm!
To ease you into the 4 day Bank Holiday celebrations, head down to Harbour Parade in the evening on 1st June where the children’s funfair will be set up and Dune Acoustic are performing on stage opposite the Queens Head
On Thursday 2nd June, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee properly starts down at the harbour with the Makers Market setting up from 11am where you will find beautifully handcrafted items from around 20 different makers. The children’s funfair will be stretched out in the closed road section and open throughout Thursday and Friday and will include the popular Bungee Trampolines. Live music on the stage opposite Queens Head starts at 1pm with Paul May and then at 2pm, The Royal Proclamation will be read out by our Town Sergeant, Mac Wilkinson, announcing the National Beacon lighting event, taking place on the Main Sands, later in the evening at 9.45pm. Mooch will also be there in the familiar yellow tent and caravan, Cozi van Tutti, where people can come and make glorious crowns from midday.
Head along towards Ramsgate Tunnels for 9.30pm where you can be part of the national ceremony including bagpipes, bugles playing Majesty, composed specifically for the beacon lighting at 9.45pm, which will be lit by our Mayor, Cllr. Raushan Ara. This will be followed by a set piece, heritage firework display, sponsored by the Tunnels and Ramsgate Town Council. This won’t be your usual high firing, whizz bang fireworks but a more traditional display which for many of us, will remind us of events in our childhoods. Best viewing areas will be on the lower east promenade and from the Rainbow Steps towards the Granville. Views from the Bandstand will probably be obscured so make sure you come early to get a good spot! A section of the beach will be cordoned off for safety reasons so please observe the barriers and marshals who will be there to advise!
Friday 3rd sees much of the same down at the harbour (minus the fireworks and official bits of course!) and Mooch will be making her crowns AND having a photo booth where you can get a professional photo taken in your outfits and crowns! Much of the day will be building up to the Grand Parade which sets off at 2pm from Arts in Ramsgate (just by the Post Office in the High Street) and travelling down to Harbour Parade with majestic style and fanfare!
By the way, if your children go to local schools, check their schoolbags for details on the workshops which are happening at Arts in Ramsgate and Hold Creative Space! Parade workshops are happening from Monday 30th, right through to 3rd June and I have created a double-sided flyer with the Catch That Corgi Trail and the Workshop details are on the other side. There will also be flyers available from various locations in town including the Visitor Info Centre at Custom House, Harbour Parade.
Next up, those who joined the parade will be invited to sit down at around 3pm and enjoy some food at the Street Party in Harbour Parade where there will be a feast for 200 children set out, all served by our fabulous team of Miss Ramsgate Organisation’s princesses. We may even hand out some prizes for best parade costumes!
There will be more live music on stage at Queens Head from 1pm to 10.30pm with the bands listed on their poster.
Also on Friday 3rd, 11am – 7pm, Newington Fish Bar is hosting a RNLI fundraising event, where the RNLI volunteers will bring along one of the Lifeboats and there will be a colouring competition for children.
On Saturday 4th June, our town centre traders are celebrating with a Jubilee Jamboree which again, you are all invited to! There will be street food, tasting sessions, workshops and artists with live entertainment, literally dancing in the street with belly dancers and Stage Door Academy performing throughout the afternoon!
There will also be live music at Harbour Bar right in the centre of town with Two’s Company performing from 3pm plus lots more going on including Miss Ramsgate Organisation announcing the Best Dressed Jubilee Window Winner and of course, the Catch that Corgi Trail which is available from 1st to 5th June.
Find the 20 knitted corgis dotted around the town centre in shop windows – all lovingly made with wool scraps by a dedicated Women’s Institute member. One of the Queen’s Corgis has gone missing and you have to follow the trail, making a note of each letter you see attached to the corgis, once you have found the hidden message from the Queen, hand in your completed form to one of the participating shops listed on the flyer and they will reward you with a limited edition Corgi Badge (there are only 500 so it is first come, first served!)
Down at the harbour, you can also catch the Handmade & Vintage Market who will be selling their wares from 11am to 5pm and there will be live music at Queens Head.
Also, on Saturday 4th June, The Bucket & Spade event begins with the guys at Ramsgate Old Motor and Motorcycle Club, putting on a bumper show this year with a 2-day special event on Government Acre, bringing you a weekend of classic vehicles, stalls and a children’s funfair on the West Cliff.
On Sunday 5th, the Classic Cars will be travelling from Herne and doing a loop around East Kent, returning to Government Acre around 1030hrs, ready for another day of fun on the hill! The children’s funfair will close around 6pm each evening. They will also have the Old East Kent double-decker bus doing transfer trips to and from the harbour up to government Acre (donations welcome) so that you can enjoy the Harbour Parade Handmade Market and live music at Queens Head.
Plus, on 5th June if you head along the lower prom to Ramsgate Tunnels, their café opens from 9.30am with tunnel tours throughout the day, starting at 10am and they will have Ramsgate in Film shows on throughout the day. The Salute to Dads Army troupe will be performing from 2pm, featuring tributes to many of the fabulous 40s including Vera Lynn, Frank Sinatra, George Formby and lots more! Often described as the Ultimate Wartime Variety Show, their performance will have you laughing and singing all afternoon!
Ellington Park will be joining in the weekend fun and invite you to come along, relax in the park, listening to music at the beautifully restored bandstand.
Head to the park with your picnic blankets, relax and enjoy the music with Salvation Army plus tombola, crownmaking workshops. More info to follow but if you click on the Ellington Park link above and join their group, info will be posted up on their page.
Details of confirmed church services
St George’s Church – Sun 5 June
Thanksgiving child-friendly Service at 11am followed by with prayers of thanks for the queen at the front of the church at midday then there will be a treasure hunt, barbecue and cake in the church grounds from 12-2pm.
St Laurence Church – Sun 5 June
Their afternoon service will be a Thanksgiving for the Queen.
Grand Parade Workshops: Please see details attached in the poster at the beginning of the blog.
Whatever you decide to do, I truly hope you have a magnificent time and I hope that all or at least some of it is spent in Ramsgate!
Congratulations your Majesty!
Rebekah Smith, Town Promoter
