A summer of Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Woking

Date: 

Tuesday, 31 May, 2022

Woking’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations start on Thursday 2 June at 9pm with a public beacon lighting ceremony and are set to continue all summer long.

The borough’s varied programme of Platinum Jubilee events includes themed lunches, cream teas, live performances, street parties, church services, and coverage of The Queen’s official celebrations on an outdoor screen in Jubilee Square.

The new Mayor of Woking, Cllr Saj Hussain, has the honour of opening Woking’s celebrations with the lighting of a beacon in Jubilee Square at precisely 9.45pm on Thursday 2 June when thousands of other beacons across the UK and Commonwealth will be lit in tribute to The Queen.

Speaking about the beacon lighting, Cllr Hussain said: “I can’t think of a greater honour or more memorable start to my Mayoral Year. As Head of Nation, The Queen acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence; and supports the ideal of voluntary service. She’s an inspiration to us all and I hope to serve Woking with the same level of dedication as our Sovereign.”

The beacon lighting ceremony will feature solo performances from piper, Elysée Spacie, and bugler, Jess Fowler, who both attend Gordon’s School.

Elysée said: “I feel honoured to be part of the Queen’s Platinum jubilee. Playing this very special piece, Diu Regnare, on the bagpipes is the highlight of my piping journey.

“I’m really looking forward to the event and feel exceptionally proud and excited that I’m also representing Gordon’s and this will create memories for my family and future generations.”

To officially announce the lighting of the beacon, Jess will perform a specially written bugle call, entitled Majesty.

Jess said: “I am incredibly grateful to be able to play at such a historic event. The Queen has done so much for this country and the commonwealth in her 70 years on the throne and it is an honour to be a small part of an amazing event that will show how much she means to the entire country.”

A public Service of Thanksgiving, led by Vicar Adrian Beavis from Christ Church, will take place in Jubilee Square at 10.30am on Sunday 5 June to give thanks for The Queen’s 70-year reign. The service will be followed by live music and food in the church garden at the same time as hundreds of residents will be preparing to ‘share friendship, food and fun with neighbours’ at one of the forty plus street parties taking place that day.

Family and friends can also gather in front of the large outdoor screen being installed in Jubilee Square at the start of the four-day weekend, which will show live coverage of Trooping the Colour (Thursday 2 June, 10am), the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral (Friday 3 June, 9.15am), and The Platinum Pageant (Sunday 5 June, 1pm).

Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Living Well, Cllr Ellen Nicholson, said: “From cream teas to live music there’s something for everyone to enjoy over the Platinum Jubilee Weekend. And with the return of the outdoor screen and the Victoria Place Summer Zone, you can expect a great atmosphere in town. 

“The Platinum Jubilee inspired events and activities continue well into the summer including live performances on the bandstand in Woking Park and an illustrated talk at the Nova Cinema about how Woking has changed during The Queen’s reign. The outdoor screen will also remain in situ for summer, showing both the Wimbledon Championships and Commonwealth Games, plus a number of free family films.”

To find out what’s on over the Platinum Jubilee Weekend and beyond go to www.celebratewoking.info/events