Jubilee events get funding boost

Tuesday 22nd May 2012

Communities across the country will be marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in style thanks to more than £292, 000 in lottery funding.

In total, 63 projects have been awarded money from the Big Lottery Fund's (Big) Awards For All scheme, which provides small grants to projects which benefit local communities.

The funding will enable community projects to stage street parties, Big Lunches, tea dances and music festivals over the Jubilee weekend from June 2 to the 5.

Nat Sloane, Big Lottery Fund's England chairman, said: "The Queen's Diamond Jubilee bank holiday weekend is providing the perfect opportunity for communities up and down the country to come together and celebrate. It coincides with this year's Big Lunch which is very much about bringing people together who might not otherwise have the chance to meet.

"I am very pleased that Big is able to lend its support to many towns and villages across the nation for these special celebratory events."

Among the communities to benefit from funding is Blithfield, in Staffordshire, which was awarded a grant of £2,727, to help residents hold a free jubilee tea party at Admaston Village Hall.

One person attending the event will be Lady Bagot of Blithfield Hall, a surviving attendee of the Queen's Coronation in 1953.

Lady Bagot, 92, originally from Sydney, worked for the Red Cross in London during the war. She can remember the moment the Queen arrived at Westminster Abbey.

She said: "When she appeared, one noticed no-one else. She moved very slowly so seemed to float along. She wore a circle diamond tiara often seen in pictures of Queen Victoria. She looked so lovely and serenely dignified. Her beautiful complexion seemed to glow. I could hardly believe I was there."

Among the other organisations to benefit is the Dudley Association Of Community Networks, in the West Midlands, which received £9,956, Friends Of Coronation Park, in Corby, Northamptonshire, was awarded £3,144, and the Museum Of Power in Colchester was awarded £505.

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