PURFLEET-on -Thames Community Forum is organising a free event on Thursday, 2 June to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee. It will be on the green by the Royal Hotel and is open to all.

On the day Purfleet's Town Crier will make a proclamation at 2pm in the central atrium of Lakeside Shopping Centre, followed by a silk flag procession to the Purfleet-on-Thames Beacon in time for varied entertainment festivities to start at 5pm. These include children's activities, with three face painters, a Royal themed fancy dress competition with prizes, craft stalls and soft play.

A large domed stage will host back to back performances; two brass bands, dance groups, theatre, singers. On the green the Complete Commedia Company will perform A Midsummer Night's Jubilee. Watch Shakespeare's all time favourite characters, Bottom, Snug, Flute, Quince and Snout as they prepare to perform to the royal party. There is a bird of prey display, where you can handle the birds and see a flight display. We also have a roving silhouettist who performed at the Queens 80th birthday party, food, craft and other stalls

At 9:35pm Edwin Palin, Pipe Major from Sutherland Pipes and Drums will play 'Diu Regnare'. At 9:40pm four cornet players will play 'Majesty', both pieces of music were especially written for this prestigious occasion. The evening concludes with the lighting of the Purfleet-on-Thames Beacon by Deputy Lieutenant of Essex. More than 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories. To round off the day there will be a spectacular 10-minute firework display finale with accompanying synchronised sound track.

It is to be the biggest open air event in Purfleet-on-Thames for over 100 years, in fact since 1910 when Winston Churchill banned the Purfleet Fair by an Act of Parliament.

In preparation for the event, over the past few weeks volunteers have been painting over 300 feet of cast iron riverside railings in blue, that will be topped off in gold, linking the newly painted clock face of the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) to this event.

For updated information scan the QR block on the attached image or go to https://purfleet-on-thames.org/queens-platinum-jubilee/