Music from across Queen’s reign will help Wokingham celebrate the jubilee

A RIGHT royal celebration will help Wokingham celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee this June.

After a two-year break for covid, the Wokingham International Street Concert is returning, with a twist.

The event will celebrate every decade of the Queen’s 70-year reign, and in a new location.

Starting from 2.30pm, the street party will be one of the first to make use of the new Elms Field.

As well as music, the free event will include stalls selling food and drink, and there will also be family fun on offer.

Organised by Wokingham Town Council, the Platinum Party in the Park will bring the town together and the event will no doubt be a jewel in the crown of the four-day bank holiday weekend.

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Cllr Sally Gurney, Wokingham Town Council’s chair of arts and culture committee, said: ‘It’s been nearly three years since the last party in town at our very popular International Street Concert.

“We are delighted that the return of this amazing event is perfectly timed with this auspicious occasion, and what better way to celebrate than with more music, more space, and more going on.”

She added: “I’m particularly proud that we are focusing on our key principle of inclusivity and this year will be more accessible than ever, with an easy to access viewing platform, sign language interpretation for all the songs, and extra screens for those who prefer to a little more space.

“It promises to be a great day out.”

Six bands will be performing throughout the day.

Celebrating the music of the 1950s – the rock n roll era – will be Peggy Sue and the Jukebox Jives. Dressing up in petticoats and quiffs is encouraged as the boogie band will provide some 50s frolics.

The sounds of the sixties will be recreated by the Midnight Soul Sisters, a female group that sing soul, funk, Motown, disco and R&B classics.

A tribute to one of the greatest Jamican reggae bands, Bob Marley and the Wailers, will be returning to Wokingham to hail the music of the 70s: Trenchtown Experience.

And one of the country’s best Queen tributes bands, Supersonic Queen!, will represent the 1980s.

Girl Power beat BritPop to represent the 1990s: Spice! is a tribute to one of the most influential groups since The Beatles. The group will perform a host of Spice Girls hits including Wannabe, Say You’ll Be There, and Viva Forever.

Bringing Wokingham up to date will be Fully Funktional, a party band who will perform hits from the charts of the past decade.

Wokingham Town Council says it is doing everything it can to ensure the event will be family friendly and accessible to all.

A viewing platform for people with mobility issues will be available, while a screen will show a British Sign Language interpreter during the music.

Those attending can bring picnics, blankets and camping chairs, but asked not to bring gazebos as they can block views of other people.

Catering will include sweet and savoury street food with vegan, vegetarian, and meat options.

And children’s activities, courtesy of morearts Wokinghan, Wokingham Library and Circus Scene will run between 2.30pm and 7pm.

Wokingham Town Council’s mayor elect, Cllr Maria Gee, hoped people would save the date.

“This year’s platinum jubilee celebrations will culminate in a four-day UK bank holiday in June, and on Saturday of that weekend our Party in the Park will be held on Elms Field,” she said.

“We have a fantastic day planned with musical acts and tribute bands from across the decades. Bring a blanket, chairs and refreshments and make a day of it.

“We look forward to welcoming you all.”

For more details, log on to www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk