19 Apr CORONATION CELEBRATIONS AROUND TORBAY
By David Gledhill, Marketing & Communications Lead
Just over two weeks to go to the King’s Coronation, and a whole series of free events are taking place across the Bay to celebrate.
The whole weekend (6-8th May) is a special Bank Holiday which will see family, friends and communities come together to honour the occasion with a cornucopia of events that will hopefully cater for all tastes.
The celebrations start on Saturday with the official Coronation Ceremony being live-streamed to big screens erected at various venues in each of the three towns.
In Torquay, there are numerous gatherings including street parties and celebrations in parks, but the main one will be focussed on Torre Abbey Meadows where not only will the ceremony be livestreamed there will also be caterers on hand to make sure everyone is well fed and hydrated.
In Paignton, day one of the festivities will culminate in a firework display on the seafront courtesy of Anderton and Rowland Funfair from the award-winning Blitz Fireworks.
The celebrations continue on Abbey Meadows on the Sunday where we will showcase volunteering opportunities in the main marquee where organisations will be describing their work and how you can be involved.
Would-be volunteers will be able to unlock a world of opportunities in Torbay with people like the National Trust at the former home of Agatha Christie, Greenway, or be backstage for the Unleashed Theatre Company.
But if that does not appeal, how about becoming a bus driver for OurBus – all you need is a few hours a week, a D1 category driving licence, and the confidence to drive a 12- or 16-seater. Our passengers on the 61 and 65 services will make sure you are well rewarded with thanks and praise.
As with so many charities and voluntary organisations. there are plenty of opportunities to get involved– perhaps with the Paignton Festival, the Torbay Social Club for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the NHS locally or Swim Torbay to name but a few.
In total, there will be around twenty different organisations, all hoping to tempt you to join them and make a difference for them and yourself as only volunteering can.
The Sunday is also the day of the Coronation Big Lunch celebration with dozens taking place across the Bay as well as on a grand scale on Torre Abbey Meadows where thousands are expected to join millions across the country laying out picnic blankets and relaxing together.
So far, projects being organised for the Big Help Out on the Monday appear to be few and far between, but it is not too late to get one underway like the community in Wellswood who are organising a litter pick.
Or there is work on the garden project at Cricketfields if you want to get involved and there is more green-fingered gardening to be done in the gardens at Torquay Train station.
It doesn’t take many people coming together to tackle a project to make a massive difference. You could get your gardening gloves on and sort out some flower beds or perhaps pick up some paintbrushes and transform a dowdy-looking community facility. The opportunities are endless.
Let us know if you have something in mind by emailing us at [email protected].
Brixham Future Partnerships are organising six days of celebrations which will include more than 40 events including music, exhibitions and street entertainment which will be kicking off on Wednesday 3 and running through to Monday 8 May.
Celebrations include a Coronation Breakfast on the ‘Vigilance’, musical concerts and performances, sing-a-longs, a Coronation Parade, lots of free events across the town centre and a firework display from around 9pm on Sunday, May 7th. More details can be found on the BrixhamFuture.co.uk website.
If you want to promote your volunteering opportunities or get involved drop an email to Matt Dart – [email protected]
