It's The Queen's 70th year on the throne. As well as an extra bank holiday and long weekend from 2 June, there are lots of ways to get involved in the celebrations and mark this historic anniversary.
Why celebrate?
2022 will mark the Queen‘s Platinum Jubilee – a celebration of 70 years service as Britain’s monarch. Queen Elizabeth II – who has held the record for the longest reign since 2015 –will become the first British royal in history to reach this milestone. It’s quite the occasion.
This is a very significant event for Step One because HM The Queen is Step One’s Patron. Since 1946, the Queen has had a long-standing close history with our charity so we have commemorated each of The Queen’s Jubilees. So now is the time to be involved in this extra special occasion, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
What’s going on?
Here are just a few ways you can get involved in Jubilee celebrations:
Beacon Lighting
The UK has a long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations through beacon lighting. You could light beacons or get involved in beacon lighting within your communities. Here are some places that are getting involved with beacon lighting in Devon:
- Simmons Park, Fore Street, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1AA
- Exeter High Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3EB
- 43 Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 1JQ
- Brixham Town Council, Brixham Town Hall, New Road,, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8TA
You can find more by checking out the interactive map here https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/events
The Queen’s Green Canopy
Plant a tree for the Jubilee! The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique tree planting initiative to encourage communities around the UK to support the environment and plant a tree in celebration of the Jubilee.
Find out more about how to get involved, including a downloadable plan and how to get your hands on a free tree!
Street parties
The UK has a long history of organised street parties to celebrate national events. Why not organise one for your neighbours for the Platinum Jubilee?
You’re welcome to host parties right across the bank holiday weekend, or as part of The Big Jubilee Lunch (see below). Read guidance on how to host a street party.
Here are just some street parties happening in Devon:
- Exeter High Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3EB – 2 June 2022
- Grandisson Play Area, Bishop Westall Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 6NL – 5th June
- 46A Fore Street, Topsham, Exeter, EX30HY – 4 June 2022
- 43 Wolborough Street, NEWTON ABBOT, Devon, TQ12 1JQ – 4&5 June
You can find more street parties by heading over to the interactive map here https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/events/
If you are hosting your own street party, you will need to give Devon County Council at least three months’ notice of your event or your application may not be processed.
Social Media
Join the Platinum Jubilee conversation by sharing your events, activities, tributes and creativity using the hashtags #PlatinumJubilee and #HM70 and tagging @DCMS on Twitter or @dcmsgovuk on Instagram and Facebook.
