Diamond jubilation and celebration

While the Queen enjoys a series of spectacular events in London over the four days from Saturday, June 2, until Tuesday, June 5, people across Sussex will be celebrating in their own way.

Many events in the county have been organised through the offices of the county’s two Lord Lieutenants, Susan Pyper and Peter Field.

As the Queen’s representatives in the county, they are in a unique position to gauge how Sussex has responded to this Royal milestone.

“West Sussex is a wonderfully traditional county,” says Susan Pyper, the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex.

“My own view is that Her Majesty has provided stability and continuity across the country, and upholds our many traditions.

"There is tremendous respect for The Queen in West Sussex, although, of course, I accept that not everybody is a monarchist.

“We should take this opportunity to enjoy and participate in the national and local Diamond Jubilee events, and celebrate the occasion together. "I know these are difficult times, but I am sure people will respond enthusiastically.”

Peter Field, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, agrees.

He says, “The Queen is an amazing example to us all and this is a terrific opportunity to celebrate 60 wonderful years.

"The reaction from East Sussex has been fantastic and shows what tremendous support its people have for the Queen.”

The Diamond Jubilee weekend kicks off with the Queen’s favourite pastime of horseracing when she watches the Epsom Derby on Saturday, June 2.

Sunday sees the unique Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, when the largest flotilla ever will proceed down the Thames. Flanking the Royal Barge carrying the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be 1,000 boats from across the UK and the Commonwealth, including several from Sussex.

Also on Sunday, communities across the country will be joining in The Big Diamond Jubilee Lunch, an event aimed at encouraging people to form community bonds and which this year happens to fall in the Diamond Jubilee weekend.

On Monday, June 4, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend a concert organised by the BBC at Buckingham Palace, and the evening skies across Britain will be lit up by more than 2012 beacons between 10pm and 10.30pm.

Landmarks already signed up include the Tower of London and Hadrian’s Wall, which will have at least 60 beacons.

On the final day of the Diamond Jubilee weekend, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family will attend a special service of thanksgiving celebrating the Diamond Jubilee at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Children from all over the country including Sussex will sing as part of a specially formed Diamond Choir.

To round off the celebrations, the Queen will proceed in Royal style along a processional route from Westminster Hall to Buckingham Palace by carriage.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the 1902 State Landau, the glorious red-and-gold carriage that carried Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton back to the palace after their wedding at Westminster Abbey last year.

Have a read through some of the best events taking place across Sussex as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Events across Sussex

Friday, June 1

Crawley Live Music Festival

Local bands stage a series of performances on an open-air stage over three days until Sunday, June 3. It includes a Crawley Revival and Best Of British on Saturday, June 2 – details from The Hawth box office on 01293 553636.

Saturday, June 2

Strawberry Tea

2.30-4.30pm, Lewes Town Hall, Lewes An event to bring together old and young with youth organisations including scouts, guides and cadets invited to take part.

East Grinstead Diamond Jubilee Festival

A week of events in the town to mark the Diamond Jubilee continues with a Jubilee Ball at the Jubilee Centre in Charlwoods Road on Saturday. It’s a night for dancing to the 17-piece ConChord Big Band and Singers. Email info@conchordbigband.com for details.

Eastbourne Fiesta and Diamond Jubilee

A weekend in Eastbourne is jam-packed with cultural events to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

It kicks off with the Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival along the seafront with live music and entertainment throughout the day, with an after-party at Western Lawns, where there will be fairground attractions and and music from Beve and the Beatroots.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Concert

7pm, The White Rock Theatre, Hastings.

A celebration in music, dance and drama, the concert features Hastings Diamond Jubilee Children’s Choir, HMF Dancers, Actors and Musicians and the Sussex Concert Orchestra and Singers.

Sunday, June 3

The Big Diamond Jubilee Lunch

The Big Lunch, a project launched by the Eden Project to encourage people around Britain to have lunch with their neighbours and forge community bonds. To find out if there is one near you, visit www.thebiglunch.com, email info@thebiglunch.com or call 0845 850 8181.

Uckfield & District Lions Big Lunch

From noon, Luxford Field, Uckfield.

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy family attractions, entertainments and stalls.

East Grinstead Diamond Jubilee Festival

A week of events in the town to mark the Diamond Jubilee continues at 12.30pm with a parade from Railway Approach to the Chequer Mead car park, followed by the East Court Fun Day and Big Lunch between 2-7pm.

The day closes with a teen music festival between 8-10pm at the Meridian Hall.

Monday, June 4

The Beacon Lighting Event

More than 100 beacons will be lighting up across Sussex between 10pm and 10.30pm. Among the locations are Horam Recreation Ground, Uckfield, Firle, Ashdown Park Hotel at Forest Row, Eastbourne, at Galley Hill in Bexhill-on-Sea and Pevensey Castle.

To find out more, visit www.diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk.

Jubilee on Broadway

11am-10pm, The Broadway, Haywards Heath Billed as the largest street party in Sussex, It’s Magic has hit the right note with a jubilation of live music from each decade of the Queen’s 60-year reign by 15 bands and singers.

The Broadway itself will be turned into a Street Music Party, closed to traffic with bars and cafes extending their seating areas into the road to create a magical street party atmosphere. For details, call 01444 800045.

East Grinstead Diamond Jubilee Festival

A week of events continues with a Fun Day at East Court from 2pm, culminating in a Torch Parade and lighting of a beacon between 10-10.30pm, followed by fireworks.

Eastbourne Fiesta and Diamond Jubilee

Eastbourne is jam-packed with cultural events to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

There is a seafront party with live performances, a barn dance and a classic vehicle cavalcade along the seafront. A big screen on Western Lawns will carry coverage of the BBC concert at Buckingham Palace, followed by the beacon lighting and fireworks.

Uckfield Celebrations

6-9.30pm, Victoria Pleasure Ground, Uckfield The main events take place at the pleasure ground with a procession of local residents wearing red, white and blue setting off from the town centre arriving at 8pm. It finishes at 9.30pm when a beacon will be lit.

Pevensey Castle Midday until late, Pevensey Castle, Recreation Ground and Village, Pevensey.

Pevensey Castle hosts a series of events including fun sports, a treasure hunt, morris dancing, fashions of the ages, music and stage performances, and memorabilia from the Queen’s reign.

Diamond Jubilee Garden Party Borde Hill Gardens, Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath.

Bring a picnic and dress up for the occasion, which features live folk band Jigalots, a balloon maker, face painter, a licensed bar and a Pimms and Mojitos tent. Details at www.bordehill.co.uk.

Tuesday, June 5

Celebration Garden Party

3-5pm, Manor Gardens (Old Town), Bexhill.

Just like the Queen’s Garden Parties, bring your own picnic or buy sandwiches and enjoy band music and a garden plants sales. Organised by Manor Barn and Bexhill Old Town Preservation Society.

Diamond Jubilee Jazz Afternoon Tea

Ashdown Park Hotel, Forest Row.

A typically British afternoon with children’s activities on the lawn and music from the hotel’s jazz band.

Wednesday, June 6

East Grinstead Diamond Jubilee Festival A week of events in the town to mark the Diamond Jubilee continues with a Teddy Bears Picnic and Bear Hunt in the grounds of East Court from 11am-2pm.

Thursday, June 7

East Grinstead Diamond Jubilee Festival A week of events in the town to mark the Diamond Jubilee continues with a talk on 1897 The Last Royal Diamond Jubilee: How West Sussex Celebrated by Martin Hayes, the County Local Studies Principal Librarian, at East Grinstead Library at 7pm.

Saturday, June 16

Worthing Street Party Following the annual children’s parade will be a street party stretching three miles from the promenade at Splash Point to George V Avenue. Events include art, best decorated table, fancy dress, Jubilee cakes and a poem competition.