BUNTING will go up in Wokingham in June to celebrate The Queen’s 90th birthday with a street party and concert.
It is hoped crowds will turn out with their picnics to enjoy an afternoon of music and family entertainment.
Broad Street will be closed for the event, which is being organised by Wokingham Town Council. Thousands took to the streets for a weekend of fun to mark Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee in 2012 – and hopes are high this will be another right royal occasion.
The street party will take place on Sunday, June 12. On that day 10,000 guests are expected to fill The Mall in London. That party will benefit the new Patron’s Trust, to support projects from The Queen’s charities, and Wokingham Town Council is answering the call for the merrymaking to spread across the country.
Wokingham’s birthday salute will start with pomp and ceremony at 12.30pm, when the town council will march to All Saints Church for the annual civic service.
The street party will start around 1pm. The main stage will be in front of Tudor House in Broad Street and music from Wokingham Rock Choir, Bruce O’Neil and other local acts will make the afternoon go with a swing.
Partygoers will be able to take along their own tables and chairs, together with the sandwiches, or just stand to enjoy the entertainment – and something is planned for all tastes.
Stilt-walkers will liven up the scene and there will be activities including arts and crafts and balloon-modelling to keep youngsters amused.
Wokingham Theatre will be running a family quiz, challenging children to pick out characters from across the last 90 years from the crowds.
Wokingham Arts Society will be displaying its magnificent diamond jubilee frieze – updated with a new panel – in the town hall. There will be an arts market around the town hall and a small food court. And after a small teatime gap, the annual international street concert will pick up the tempo again. A Commonwealth theme will be another salute to The Queen’s big birthday.
Town clerk Jan Nowecki told The Wokingham Paper: “We are very excited about it and think it will be a fun day for everybody – and we are hoping for good weather, but that is out of our control!”
