Communities across Cumbria celebrated the Queen’s platinum jubilee in style this weekend.
Carlisle’s celebrations were hailed an ‘astounding success’ by Carlisle City Council’s leader John Mallinson.
The city hosted two main events- a beacon lighting at Carlisle Castle on Thursday and a Communities and Hope event in Bitts Park yesterday, June 5.
Both attracted large crowds, included an estimated 5,000 people at the Bitts Park event. The free community celebration included a giant screen, a parade by Multicultural Cumbria, family activities and community stalls.
Cllr Mallinson, said: “As I walked around the Bitts Park event, I was delighted to see so many stalls and activities for families. It’s no doubt that the event was an astounding success and that it was a proud day for Carlisle. Families and friends were able to come together, take part in the Big Jubilee Lunch and celebrate the Jubilee. I’d like to thank all the organisations that made the event possible.”
Carlisle City Council, alongside Carlisle Vineyard Church and Carlisle HealthCare Social Prescribing team organised the event.
Cllr Stephen Higgs, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and leisure, added: “Our jubilee events have been a great success and put the community at the heart of all the activities. It was fantastic to see how many different people and groups from Carlisle joining together to celebrate the Queen’s historic reign.
“The beacon lighting marked the start of the celebrations and an awe-inspiring film showcasing a series of Queen’s platinum jubilee Beacon lighting sites has been released.
The beacon lighting short film was drawn together by Carlisle City Council’s Discover Carlisle team with the support of partners across the Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland areas.
In Brampton, hundreds of people of all ages and family groups descended on the playing field and with the weather staying dry everyone had a great
time.
The event which ran from 1pm to 5pm had activities for all ages, local traders were on hand with free food and drink, local firefighters were on hand to show off their fire engine to children and the local police were in attendance to chat to the public.
Inflatable slides and activities were available for children as well as a craft stall and other stalls, there was live music all afternoon from number of local performers including pupils from William Howard School and local band Rukus.
Local truck accessory manufacturer Jimbars were also in attendance with its show truck bedecked in a multitude of flashing lights and allowing the children to sit in the immaculate Scania truck and blast the trucks airhorns.
One main attraction for the spectators was the hotly contested tug of war which involved four local teams and there was fierce but friendly local rivalry with spectators gathered closely around the action.
In Matterdale, Matterdale steel pans band, led by Peter Crofts, opened proceedings and Brian Clarke led the Queen’s toast at 1pm.
Dockray local Mary Jackson, 94, officially unveiled the jubilee bench on the village green and pooh sticks was won by David Brown. Around 75 people joined to picnic and take part in the games.
The bench came via a grant from Eden District Council’s Platinum Jubilee fund and the marquee came via a community Arts Council grant