Axe Valley turns red, white and blue for Jubilee celebrations

FLAGS and bunting have gone up in towns and villages across East Devon and West Dorset as residents prepare for a right royal party.

An explosion of red, white and blue will herald a bumper programme of celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Communities throughout the region have been busy planning a host of events from street parties and fireworks to hog roasts and fancy dress parades.

The festivities are centred on the extended bank holiday weekend from this Saturday, June 3 to Tuesday, June 5.

AXMINSTER

At Axminster a street party and royal variety show are amongst the bill-topping jubilee events.

Saturday (June 2) gets off to a stomping start when Arts in the Garden present the acclaimed Arcadia Jazz between 11am and 1pm. At the same time a jubilee fete will be held on The Minster Green.

Saturday evening’s big attraction is the Royal Variety Performance featuring talented local artists at The Guildhall, from 7.30pm. On Sunday, June 3, there is a jubilee church service at The Minster, starting at 3pm and during the day there will also be guided tours of Axminster Museum.

Monday, June 4, will see plenty of outdoor action with cricket and football tournaments at Cloakham Lawns.

The big Diamond Jubilee street party takes place on Tuesday, June 5, with festivities in Silver Street , Trinity Square and on the Minster Green from noon until 6pm, with community singing at 3.30pm. The fancy dress theme is kings and queens.

Tables for up to eight can be booked at the Conservative Club on 01297 34444.

Throughout the festivities there will be a best dressed window competition, organised by Axminster Chamber of Commerce.

SEATON

Seaton is planning to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in royal style.

The town council is joining forces with local organisations to present a bumper weekend of festivities “the town can be proud of”.

The celebrations will take place over the bank holiday weekend of June 2-5, and will aim to reflect the events Buckingham Palace has organised for the Queen.

The Seaton programme will feature a giant jubilee picnic lunch at Cliff Field Gardens from noon to 5pm on Sunday June 3, with entertainment and fun for all the family.

And on Monday, June 4 there will be a variety of activities on the beach and around the town to include:

l A slow bicycle race starting from The Square at 2.45pm;

l A land raft pageant at Fisherman’s Gap on Seaton Beach at 4pm with prizes for the best dressed craft. Entry is �5 per raft with forms available from the town hall or to download from www.seaton.gov.uk or by phone on 01297 21388;

l A community barbecue on the beach from 6.30pm;

l Fireworks at 10pm followed by the lighting of the resort’s official jubilee beacon at 10.15pm.

For the full programme of events with all the times and venues see the town council website at www.seaton.gov.uk

COLYTON

Colyton’s jubilee programme kicks off on Sunday, June 3, with creams teas for the over 60s in the town hall from 2.30pm to 4pm. It is followed by a circus skills workshop with Sarah Shoesmith, in Market Place

A street party for children of primary school age and under will begin in Market Place at 4.30pm with free food and entertainment.

And the day is rounded off with a service at St Andrew’s Church from 6pm followed by the presentation of commemorative mugs to local children.

Monday’s events include a vintage tractor run from 9.30am, children’s sports at 4pm, a hog roast and barbecue in the evening with a disco at the Reece Strawbridge Centre between and a jazz in the park.

The Jubilee beacon will be lit at 10pm followed by a firework display and the bar open in the Sports Pavilion all evening

Caroline Collier, of the organising committee, said: “We want to make it a memorable weekend with good fun, good food and good company.

“If children are unable to collect their mugs on the day they will be available later.”

LYME REGIS

At Lyme Regis a civic parade and march past from Langmoor Gardens to Marine Parade will launch jubilee events at 11am on Saturday June 2.

There will be a marching display and concert on the seafront at 3pm and in the evening, at 7pm, a “There will be always be an England” concert party takes place at Woodmead Halls.

Performers include Lyme Regis operatic, pantomime and dramatic societies, Ben Kapur, Julian Shaw, Roy Wootton Nicky Sweetland, Georgie Harwood, Tina Pavely and Cathy Binmore.

Other Lyme events include:

Sunday June 3

10am: Service of thanksgiving at St Michael’s Parish Church.

Noon: The Big Sunday Lunch at Woodmead Halls with sittings at noon and 1.30pm. Tickets to be booked in advance are �8.50 for adults, �6 for children. Tickets will need to be booked in advance.

4pm: -Jubilee cream teas at Lyme Regis Football Club.

Monday, June 4

10am - 4pm: Maritime celebrations in the Bay.

3pm: 1950s tea party with a Big Band on the Marine Parade.

9pm: Jubilee torchlight procession.

10pm - 10.30pm: Lighting of the jubilee beacon.

Tuesday, June 5

11am: Children’s fancy dress with royal theme in Theatre Square.

Noon: Marching display by the Lyme Regis Majorettes in Theatre Square.

5pm: The Jubilee Games on the Marine Parade and beach.

8pm - 11pm: Jubilee Finale - Open air dance on the Marine Parade.

SHUTE

Jubilee events at Shute begin on Sunday, June 3, with a family church service at 4pm, followed by light refreshments.

On Monday, the village primary school will be the focal point for the celebrations, starting at 2pm. There will be maypole dancing at 3pm followed by children’s games and races.

At 4.30pm a photo of all parishioners present will be taken which will later be available for residents to buy. Organisers are hoping for a big turnout.

Throughout the afternoon there will be music, a display of historical documents from Shute School and a bouncy castle for the children.

Residents are asked to take food and drinks for the evening street party.

A spokesman added: “The committee hope as many parishioners from Hampton, Seaton Junction, Shute, Whitford, Umborne and all those in between will come and have an enjoyable afternoon.”

HAWKCHURCH

At Hawkchurch four days of jubilee celebrations begin on Saturday, June 2.

Amongst the on-going events will be an exhibition in the village church commemorating its own 60 years of history. The display will feature historical documents, photos, memorabilia, collections, artefacts and more, and will be open from 2.30 pm on the Saturday until the late afternoon of Tuesday, June 5. Admission is free.

WOOTTON FITZPAINE

Wootton Fitzpaine is organising a Diamond Jubilee fete on Monday, June 4.

The traditional event starts at 1.30pm and includes the Honeysuckle Dog Agility Display Team, Charmouth Fire Brigade, St Swithun’s Band, and a children’s jubilee fancy dress. Alongside all this entertainment will be a wealth of fete favourites including cream teas, barbecue, licensed bar , stalls, arts and crafts, children’s games and races and display of vintage vehicles. Admission costs �1.50 for adults and is free for children.

Money raised will go to the village hall and local church.

Kilmington also has a full programme of events plannedlike most other communities across the region. Check out the details on their village websites.