A replica Coronation crown will adorn the front of Nottingham's Council House as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Measuring 4.2m wide x 3.8m high, inspiration has come from an image used in a photo exhibition of Old Market Square in 1953 when it was elaborately dressed for the Coronation.
The crown has been constructed by Nottingham-based scenic artists Makers.UK, who have more than 30 years of experience in art fabrication and model-making. It has been made from painted fibreglass over sculpted polystyrene bonded to plywood and has taken approximately a month to recreate.
It will go up from Wednesday June 1. Below, in Old Market Square a giant floral jubilee-themed '70' will be created using more than 5,100 silver, blue and purple plants. Nottingham City Council has partnered with major local employer Capital One, and with Nottingham BID fill the Slab Square with jubilee colour.
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Covering a total surface area of 57 sq metres, all the plants were grown at the city’s Woodthorpe Park Nurseries, where they have been nurtured in glasshouses since mid-March. Plant varieties include Heliotrope, Petunia, Surfinia, Verbena, Calibrachoa, Festuca, Lavendula, Athyrium, and Tradescantia.
The display will remain until June 10, after which the plants will return to Woodthorpe Park Plant Shop, where they will be sold to customers with some donated to local care homes for the elderly.
A city council spokesperson said: "It is important for Nottingham to mark such a unique occasion as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It is wonderful that our own award-winning team at Woodthorpe Park has been able to support with the planting of a giant floral display and that we have been able to work with such a talented local company to create the crown. I would also like to thank our sponsors for their valued support on this event.”
Rupert MacInnes, Chief Counsel and Head of Legal, Compliance & External Affairs at Capital One UK said: “As a major local employer, we are very pleased and proud to be able to support Nottingham City Council to commemorate such an important occasion. We hope residents and visitors will have the chance over the Jubilee weekend to view and capture their own memories of this very special event.”
Alex Flint, CEO of city centre alliance, Nottingham BID commented: “We are really looking forward to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and playing our part in helping Nottingham celebrate this prestigious occasion.”
