A dazzling record-setting range of Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday events being held across Kent is a fitting tribute to Her Majesty The Queen’s unrivalled 70 years of service to the nation
A dazzling record-setting range of Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday events being held across Kent is a fitting tribute to Her Majesty The Queen’s unrivalled 70 years of service to the nation, the Leader and Chairman of Kent County Council (KCC) said today.
Kent is ready to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in style
On Thursday, Kent will light the most Jubilee beacons for an individual county in the country – 129 in total, 3 more than nearest rival Norfolk.
And over the four-day break, Kent is set to host the likely highest number of street parties in one county. KCC’s Highways Team approved an incredible 575 road closures – trumping Hertfordshire County Council, recently reported to hold the record for Platinum Jubilee street party applications, by a mammoth 100.
KCC has also granted a further 16 requests to hang bunting and signs from street lights so residents can deck towns and villages in red, white and blue for the peak of the celebrations marking The Queen’s longest reign in British history.
Aside from setting records, the historic holiday is also a chance for the county’s communities to come together following the many challenges of COVID, Leader Roger Gough and Chairman Lesley Game said.
Kent County Council Leader Roger Gough said: “On behalf of KCC I would like to offer our sincerest congratulations to The Queen on her remarkable seven decades as figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth.
“Throughout huge times of social change, The Queen has been a constant and reassuring presence, representing the very best of Britain at home and abroad, setting an exceptional example of public duty and commitment to helping others.
Lesley Game, centre, volunteering with Thanet’s Kitchen Social – the Chairman’s contribution to KCC Members giving 70 hours of service in honour of each year of The Queen’s reign
“The Platinum Jubilee is a fantastic opportunity for us in Kent to recognise all that she has achieved and has represented for these 70 years.
“I am of course extremely proud that our county will also be setting its own records during this landmark occasion.
“Our Highways Team has worked incredibly hard to review and approve the hundreds of road closure applications we received. We hope waiving the fee to apply has made things that little bit easier for residents to get together and mark this once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Chairman of Kent County Council Lesley Game said: “On behalf of Kent, we send The Queen our very warmest wishes for the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee and hope all our residents enjoy this special holiday.
“Be it at home, or at the many events planned for the Bank Holiday break, we hope you create some life-long happy memories together with family and friends, colleagues and neighbours.”
You can find out about all the local events planned on KCC’s Platinum Jubilee page on the LetsTalkKent website
The page includes:
- A map showing the Beacon Lightings taking place across the county on Thursday (2 June)
- Links to events taking place in Kent’s libraries
- Opportunity for residents to share Jubilee updates, including volunteering, and
- Information about the Jubilee on other websites, such as the Government’s GOV.UK ‘How to get involved’ and ‘Events’ pagesand the Lieutenancy of Kent , which represents The Queen in the county.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Kent. Credit: Stewart Turkington
The Lady Colgrain, The Lord-Lieutenant of Kent and Her Majesty’s official representative in the county, added: “The Queen is the longest reigning monarch in 1,000 years of British history. She has given 70 years of dedicated selfless service to this nation and Commonwealth and continues to contribute at an age – 96 – when most of us are well and truly retired.
“We have enjoyed welcoming her to Kent and Medway on many occasions over the past seven decades. Her Majesty is a very special person who has made our monarchy admired across much of the world.
“We are living in historic times and must never take her immense contribution for granted. She is a rock of stability in difficult, challenging and uncertain times.”
With lots of road closures for street parties happening across the county, if you need to drive in or through Kent over the extended Bank Holiday be sure to check your route before you travel and allow plenty of time for your journey.
There’s also lots more travel advice on the KCC website – just click on this link: Check before you travel – Kent County Council and look out for #EverySingleJourney tips on our social media channels.
Kent residents will also be able to enjoy the national Platinum Jubilee celebrations on TV and online over the weekend. Highlights include:
- Thursday 2 June: Trooping the Colour and Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting
- Friday 3 June: Service of Thanksgiving, St Paul’s Cathedral
- Saturday 4 June: The Platinum Party at the Palace
- Sunday 5 June: The Big Jubilee Lunch and The Platinum Jubilee Pageant