Ayrshire is gearing up for an historic party with a host of community-led events running the length and breadth of the region to celebrate the King and Queen Consort’s Coronation.
All eyes will be glued to the television screens at 11am on Saturday, May 6, as Charles and Camilla make their way towards Westminster Abbey for the official ceremony, marking a new era for the Monarchy in the UK.
With an estimated worldwide TV audience of hundreds of millions, it’s going to be an unforgettable moment in British history and one communities across the nation will savour.
And Ayrshire’s communities are readying themselves for one of the biggest get-togethers seen in generations.
The bunting’s all ready to be put up, the Union Jacks are at the ready, the Pimm’s is in the fridge; the Victoria sponge cakes will soon be in the ovens, the tea urns will be brimming to capacity and the tables and chairs will be placed strategically in position.
Now all we need is for the sun to shine!
Ayrshire, of course, will have at least one representative at Westminster Abbey to witness the Coronation first hand.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, Sheriff Iona McDonald OBE, is attending the historic ceremony next weekend.
And ahead of the big day she said: “I am honoured and delighted to have received an invitation to the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
“The service will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry.
“I am privileged to be able to attend this historic occasion.
“As Prince Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, His Majesty was a regular visitor to Dumfries House, in Ayrshire, part of The Prince’s Foundation and recently visited Alloway village and Burns Cottage.
“I hope that Their Majesties will be able to find time in their busy schedules to visit Ayrshire and Arran in the future.”
Today, we bring you just a snippet of the scores of community-led events which are going to take place across the region over the course of the Coronation Weekend.
South Ayrshire
Ayr
- Ayr Racecourse. Coronation Bank Holiday Family Day on Monday, May 8. Lots of fun in store for all the family to enjoy. Fairground rides, face painters, corgi themed fun and lots more. Gates open 11.55am. Free entry for under-18s. To book go to http://bit.ly/43bEM6X
- Ayr St Columba. On Sunday 7 May there will be a Special Service in honour of King Charles III at 10.45am. The street party in Midton Road will start immediately after morning worship. Church members, invited guests and local residents and friends are invited. Street will be decorated and table and chairs set out. People are invited to bring their own picnic and refreshments. There will be a hot dog station and an old fashioned ice cream cart, along with a local Ukulele group who will provide entertainment.
Ballantrae
- Celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III. Sunday, May 7. Special celebratory service at Ballantrae Church (11.30am), 1pm-3pm join Ballantrae Scout Group at The Foreland for BBQ, bouncy castle, games, arts and crafts. 1pm- Crowning of the Ballantrae Gala Party. 1.15pm-3.30pm- Ballantrae Community Association invite you to the community centre for sandwiches, tea/coffee and cakes.
Catrine
- Catrine Community Action Plan Group. On Saturday May 6th. Community live screening of the Coronation and offering a free afternoon tea. At the AM Brown Institute, Catrine. 11am – 4pm. On Monday May 8th the group shall organise a volunteer litter pick (Coronation Clean Up), at 11am. Meet up point Catrine Games Hall. Find out more: catrinecommunityuplan@gmail.com
Colmonell
- Colmonell Community Association. Coronation Party in Colmonell Community Centre, Saturday, May 6 between 1-3pm. There is Afternoon Teas, catered by the New Cafe Royal, children’s entertainment by Silly Gilly, drawing competition (draw a king, any king), prize for Best Picture. Call Michelle on 07407 718 945. Places are limited. This is a free event, thanks to funding from Destination South Ayrshire.
Girvan
- Girvan Community Garden. The King’s Coronation Afternoon Tea on Sunday May 7th. This event is at full capacity and funded by Destination South Ayrshire.
Maidens Bowling Club
- On Sunday, May 7, members of Maidens Bowling Club will be holding a balloted pairs competition, following this competition there will be food and entertainment.
Maybole
- Carrick Centre, Maybole. Children are being given the chance to be “crowned” on the same day as King Charles III. And once crowned on a throne they will receive a special scroll to mark the historic day. The crownings are all part of plans for a Coronation Party open free to the public with the event being livestreamed to a cinema-sized screen.
- On Saturday May 6 the Carrick Centre, Maybole, is throwing open its doors from 10am-2pm for the Coronation of King Charles 111 to be shown live from its big screen. The free event will have a finger buffet featuring Coronation Chicken vol-au-vents, sandwiches and a celebration alcohol-free punch. There will be stalls with bottles and baking to buy with drinks from the café. Visitors can also bring their own bottles to celebrate. Everyone will receive a special cup-cake to mark the occasion made by local baker Heather McNeish’s “A Cake Occasion” business. There will also be fun and games for children as well as the crownings on a throne and scrolls. Vice-chair of the Centre’s Board Deirdre Cuthbertson said: “All are welcome to mark this historic event. We wanted to share this with the people of North Carrick and Maybole in our community hub.” Deirdre thanks South Ayrshire Council’s Destination South Ayrshire for the £1,000 grant that made the event possible.
Tarbolton
- Tarbolton Community Council. Sunday, May 7 is their FREE Coronation Funday. - FREE Entry, FREE Food, FREE Drink, FREE Games, FREE Entertainment. Open from 12-4pm at the Community Campus. Coronation teas, coffees and home baking for all from 1pm to 3pm. More info go to: https://buff.ly/3MTBr6Q
- Coronation celebrations weekend, kicking off on Saturday where Tarbolton Bowling Club will be open from 12 noon showing the Coronation on the big screen, then dance the night away (8pm till late) to New Trix. Sunday celebrations will see the club open from 12noon, with some bowling games for the adults and kids. Raffle will be held.
East Ayrshire
Auchinleck
- On Friday, May 5 Auchinleck Primary School and ECC pupils are welcome to wear their favourite Royal colour between white, blue or red. Primary pupils are welcome to wear their house colour, blue, green, red or yellow. Note that both the ECC and Primary are closed on the following days:- Monday, May 1 - May Bank Holiday; Monday, May 8 - Coronation Public Holiday.
Cumnock
- ‘Coronation Carnival’. Cumnock Community Council would like to invite you the Barony Campus Car Park, Ayr Road, Cumnock on Sunday, May 7 from 12noon-4pm. Funfair Armbands purchased on the day £2. Charitable organisations can obtain a free stall place (stall not supplied) Businesses can buy a stall space £20.00 (stall not supplied). For more information contact Cumnock Community Council on 07780 474353 or email :cumnockcommunitycouncil2023@gmail.com
Kilmarnock
- The Provost’s special Coronation event for Veterans and members of the emergency services is on Friday, May 5 at 11.30am at Council HQ, London Rd, Kilmarnock. This is the only event being organised by the council and for invited guests only.
New Cumnock
- Event by Samantha Dalzell, Bobby Nicol and New Cumnock Community. New Cumnock Town Hall. Saturday 6th May. Live screening of the Coronation and Afternoon Tea. Family Fun Day includes Inflatables, Climbing Wall, Live music and School Choir. Burger Tent and Face Painting. 9:45am.
New Farm
- Sunday, May 7 12pm to 4pm at Take A Bow Opportunity Centre, Kilmarnock. Come along and join in for a fun filled day for all the family, to celebrate the Coronation of the new King! Face painting, Owl magic, bouncy castle, arts and crafts, games and more.
Ochiltree
- Coronation of King Charles III, ‘Let’s Celebrate Together’ at Ochiltree Community Hub, Saturday, May 6 from 10am. Includes: breakfast, tea, coffee, live showing of the Coronation, bar, live music, barbecue, dance show and art competition. Face painting and photo booth. Bouncy castle and children’s fancy dress. This event is now at full capacity.
Onthank
- On Friday, May 5, Onthank ECC welcome all children to join in with the celebrations by wearing red, white and blue clothing or party clothing. The plan (weather depending) is to have a perimeter walk for all the children to show off their crowns and flags that they will be making that week as part of the celebrations.
North Ayrshire
Broomlands and Bourtreehill
- A Coronation Fun Day is being organised by the Broomlands and Bourtreehill Community Association (BABCA), with fun activities and entertainment for children, and food, provided both free of charge, with additional activities for adults. Takes place on May 8 to bring together the whole community in celebration. All welcome.
Dalry
- Dalry Public Park. Sunday, May 7. King’s Coronation party. Various stalls, food tent, Alpacas, bouncy castle, face painting, prizes for Best Dressed King or Queen. 1pm-4pm.
Irvine
- Irvine Old Parish Church Hall, Kirkgate. A civic service is being held in the Old Parish Church at 11am on Sunday, May 7 to which all in the community are invited. Following the service, those attending are invited to share in a buffet luncheon in the hall and garden.
- Join The Royal British Legion Club Irvine for a weekend of celebration for King Charles III Coronation. Club will be open from 10am on Saturday, May 6 with the bar open from 11am. The club will be showing live coverage of the coronation. The late Queen's portrait will be dismounted and the King's will be mounted after the crowning. There is live entertainment from 3pm and a Karaoke on Sunday, May 7 from 3pm. £2 Entry fee on both days. Everyone is welcome.
Kilwinning
- Kilwinning Segdoune Gala. This event is being held on Main Street, Kilwinning on Sunday, May 7 (12-4pm). This event aims to bring the full community to come together and celebrate the King’s Coronation and the Crowning of the Kilwinning Segdoune Royal.
- Saturday, May 6. The 48 Social Club will be open from 11am. There is a parade round the town where all members are invited along. Parade leaves the hall at 5pm. ‘The Prodclaimers’ will be entertaining in the club afterwards where this is open to anyone to attend.
Saltcoats
North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club will be hosting a table tennis festival At St Matthew’s Academy on Saturday 6, Sunday 7 and Monday 8 of May to celebrate the King’s Coronation. Three days of table tennis for club members and players from all over the country to participate and get involved in. Saturday 6: Coronation Cup (banded event), Sun 7: Open Day & British Premier League match, Mon 8: Junior competition. Organisers send out a big thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for the funding they received to make this table tennis festival possible.
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