Making plans to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee

Council leaders have paid tribute to the Queen on the 70^th anniversary of her accession to the throne on Sunday.

Plans are well under way for a range of events to mark the platinum jubilee during the four-day long celebrations in June.

The Queen, who is England’s longest reigning monarch, has visited Bury on three occasions.

• In 1954, she officially opened the new Bury Town Hall with the Duke of Edinburgh.
• Her second visit was in 1968, when she came to Bradley Fold in Radcliffe where she oversaw Operation Springclean and visited the engineering works of Dobson and Barlow Ltd.
• Her last visit was in 1992 when she officially opened the Metrolink tram system.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Tim Pickstone, said: “I am sure the whole community would want to join me in warmly congratulating the Queen on this amazing milestone. For the last 70 years she has served the whole country so well, as she continues to do. I wish Her Majesty the very best on this important day.”

Among the local plans for the jubilee are:

• Planting 12 oak trees in the borough’s Green Flag parks – the first one will be planted next week in St Mary’s Park in Prestwich.

• Civic and cultural celebrations involving Bury’s many community groups.
• Waiving the application fee for residents who wish to close off roads for street parties.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said: “The Queen’s seven decades on the throne have seen tremendous changes, but throughout she has been an exemplar of stability and leadership at the heart of Britain.

“On behalf of the people of Bury, I send her our very best wishes and warmest greetings on this historic occasion, and we look forward to the events in June which will bring the whole community together in celebration.”

Community groups can apply for two grants – one sporting, one artistic – for projects to mark the jubilee.

From Sport England, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund aims to use sport and physical activity to bring communities together and tackle inequalities via awards of between £300 and £10,000 from a pot of £5 million of National Lottery funding. For details, go to https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/queens-platinum-jubilee-activity-fund

Arts Council England, meanwhile, has a Let’s Create Jubilee Fund to enable people to work with artists. Grants range from £750 to £10k, and the deadline for applying is 28 February. Details:https://forevermanchester.com/new-fund-for-communities-to-celebrate-the-queens-platinum-jubilee/

ENDS

Press release issued: 4 February 2022.

Picture: The Queen visits Bradley Fold in 1968.