The Queen's diamond jubilee 2012
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The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Message:
Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.
In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.
I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look foward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.
I send my sincere good wishes to you all.
ELIZABETH R.
Diamond Jubilee Website Launched
A new Diamond Jubilee Website has been launched. It can be accessed on http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/ and will feature latest news, photographs and announcements about the Diamond Jubilee. Images may be downloaded for free use by private individuals and by non-profit making organisations such as schools, charities, military organisations and local authorities.
Lord-Lieutenant announces financial assistance for Street Parties/Big Lunches
The Lord-Lieutenant, David Briggs, has announced that local residents and groups in Cheshire can apply to their Local Authority for assistance in meeting the costs of Diamond Jubilee Street Parties/Big Lunches. The funding comes from the Westminster Foundation and will be distributed to the Local Authorities by the Cheshire Community Foundation. Further details are available from Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington councils.
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust
A new charitable Trust, to be named The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, is to be launched under the chairmanship of Sir John Major. The Trust will have a pan-Commonwealth remit. The Government is expected to announce that it is making a multi-million pound donation to the Trust, and other Commonwealth nations may well follow suit. Members of the public will be welcome to make contributions if they wish to do so. A website will be created by the Trust in due course.
The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge
Information on the project and on the spaces nominated in Cheshire is available at www.qe2fields.com
Diamond Jubilee Related Names and Titles
Guidance has been issued on the use of Diamond Jubilee related names and titles.
Click on the link for the Guidance Notes.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Emblem
The official emblem for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 was drawn by 10-year old Katherine Dewar from Cheshire following a national competition for children aged between 6 and 14. In the photo is the Lord Mayor of Chester, Katherine, with her parents and sister and the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs, MBE, KStJ.
To download a copy of the Emblem and to find the Instructions for Use, click on the link:
http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/DiamondJubileeemblem.aspx
The Queen's Jubilee Beacons
A Guide to taking part in The Queen's Jubilee Beacons has been published offering advice to all those - individuals and organisations - who wish to be involved in lighting a Beacon in Celebration of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee on 4 June 2012.
A link to the revised version of the Diamond Jubilee Beacons Guide can be found here.
A service of Celebration is to be held on Sunday 22nd April at St. Michael's Church, Macclesfield.
A service of Celebration is to be held in Chester Cathedral on the afternoon of Sunday 27 May.
National Events
Buckingham Palace has announced plans for the central weekend to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The main programme will take place from Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June with celebratory activities throughout the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. Further details of these events and of other national and regional Diamond Jubilee events will be announced in due course.
Saturday 2nd June, 2012
The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby.
Sunday 3rd June, 2012
The Big Jubilee Lunch: Building on the already popular Big Lunch initiative, people will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. This may take the form of a traditional street party or a picnic lunch in small or larger groups. This event is being organised by the Big Lunch, http://www.thebiglunch.com/
The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen will travel in the Royal Barge which will lead the flotilla. This event is being organised by the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/
Monday 4th June, 2012
BBC Concert at
Buckingham Palace: There will be a televised Diamond
Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace with tickets being available
to UK residents by public ballot. The musical programme for the
concert is still being planned and is expected to feature British
and Commonwealth musicians. Details on how to apply for the concert
will be available in due course. This event is being organised by
the BBC.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Beacons: A network of
2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout
the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man
and the Commonwealth. As in 2002, The Queen will light the National
Beacon. The beacons project is being organised by Diamond Jubilee
Beacons Ltd.
Tuesday 5th June, 2012
Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession: There will be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and a formal carriage Procession by The Queen.
Commonwealth Realms and other Commonwealth nations will be creating their own events in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. In addition, they will be represented at, and involved with, the events taking place over the central weekend, including the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3rd June and the Service of Thanksgiving on 5th June.
Further details for all Diamond Jubilee events will be released early in 2012. The Government has launched its dedicated Diamond Jubilee Directgov website - www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee - which will feature regularly updated public information about the Diamond Jubilee.
For further information, see www.culture.gov.uk/diamondjubilee
