Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for seventy years, and that significant anniversary is being celebrated across the UK with the Platinum Jubilee.
A four-day weekend beginning on Thursday June 2 will commence to commemorate the occasion, with events planned all across the UK. And there is plenty to do and see for families across the North East, with Newcastle, Gateshead, County Durham, Northumberland and Sunderland all hosting their own celebrations in their respective town and city centres.
A total of 200 community groups have received funding from Northumberland County Council's £70,000 Jubilee Fund to help them put on events in towns and villages across the county. So as well as the events included on our list, there's sure to be something going on near you - here's a round up of what's happening in Northumberland.
Read more: Guide to North East Jubilee celebrations from a Cathedral picnic to a Kynren special
Hexham Celebrates: Music for the Queen's Jubilee
Jubilee celebrations are starting early in Hexham, with a concert in the town's Abbey on Friday night. Brendan Foster will be a special guest while there will be beacon lighting in the Marketplace on June 2 and a Regatta at Tyne Green Country Park.
Berwick's Floral Tribute to the Queen
Over 9,500 bulbs have been prepared and planted at Flagstaff Park in Berwick by Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows to support the Queen's Green Canopy - an initiative which invited people in the UK to plant a tree or bulbs for the Jubilee. The bulbs have been planted in the shape of 'ER70' and the groups will celebrate their display with a special picnic, cake and poster competition in the park.
Jubilee Church Service in Alnwick
The County Service of Remembrance and Celebration will be held on Sunday June 5 at 6pm at St Michael's Parish Church on Bailiffgate in Alnwick. There'll be hymns, prayers and readings including one from Duncan Davidson, who was a page at the Queen's Coronation.
The Duchess of Northumberland in her capacity as Lord-Lieutenant, The Queen's representative for the county, will also give a reading. Towards the end of the service, a special commemorative medal to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee will be awarded to serving frontline members of the police, fire emergency services, prison services and the Armed Forces.
Jubilee Lantern Making at Cragside
From 10.30am - 3.30pm on Thursday June 2 until Sunday June 5, Cragside is inviting families to help decorate the stately home by making and decorating paper lanterns to make it fit for royalty. There is no extra charge to get involved once you've paid your admission to the National Trust property.
How are you planning to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee? Let us know!
Jubilee celebrations at Wallington
Another National Trust stately home, there's a full programme of events planned for the Jubilee at Wallington. It starts on May 28 with a Treasure chest trail which will run throughout half-term, while from Monday June 30 you can get creative in making Wallington's jubilee bunting.
On June 2 and 3, there are duck races on the River Wansbeck, and Crown Making from June 3 - 5. On Saturday June 4, the Wallington carriages will be out on display in the courtyard before the week is rounded off with live music in the courtyard on Sunday.
Five days of celebrations at Alnwick Garden
Alnwick Garden has announced a f ull programme to mark the occasion. Guests will be able to enjoy picnics on the lawn of the Garden's Barneyside picnic area while watching celebrations unfold across the UK on a giant outdoor screen, including the Platinum Party.
There'll also be a Right Royal Rendezvous on June 2, where some familiar princesses will meet and greet guests and pose for selfies. Kids are encouraged to dress up for the occasion in their best royal outfits.
The highest tribute on Deadwater Fell
One of the highest beacons in Northumberland will be lit by Steve Cram in Kielder Water and Forest Park. From its position atop Deadwater Fell, it will be visible for hundreds of square miles across the Borders between England and Scotland.
Subject to clear weather, there are also plans to live-stream the beacon lighting from one of Kielder Observatory's telescopes. Tickets are free and can be booked here, with priority given to those in Kielder and the North Tyne.
Dress to Impress at Bamburgh Castle
If you're visiting the UK's favourite seaside town over the Jubilee weekend, head for Bamburgh Castle and see what you'd look like as a royal with the Dress to Impress event. There's a gift for children who turn up dressed as a king, queen, prince, princess, knight, warrior or even fairy, while there is also Jubilee themed afternoon tea served in the Clock Tower Café.
Hope the Dragon's Platinum Jubilee Trail is also taking place during the half-term holidays, where kids can follow clues for Hope's trail and work out the special word. Those who complete the trail get a treat in the café, activity books are £2.95 each.
Morpeth Platinum Jubilee Weekender
Northumberland's county town Morpeth will host its platinum jubilee weekender on Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4. Split across the Sanderson Arcade and the Market Place, there'll be live music, a Jubilee themed farmers market on the Saturday, and a window dressing competition.
Ponteland Beer Festival and Party in the Park
Ponteland is planning four days of celebration, following on from the beacon lighting on Thursday night. Ponteland Rugby Club will host its annual Beer Festival at the Leisure Centre on Friday June 3 and 4, while the annual Party in the Park on Sunday incorporates the Jubilee theme this year - with a children's fancy dress parade for any royal costume.
Jubilee Picnic In The Park, Blyth
Usually known as Proms in the Park, the Blyth event has had its name changed to fit in with the occasion for 2022. Known this year as the Jubilee Picnic in the Park, there'll be a brass band, local choirs, dance, drama, theatre groups and singers from the English National Opera.
Eastwoods Park Jubilee Picnic in the Park, Prudhoe
Friends of Eastwood Park provide support to the local community through its food bank, school uniform bank and community café. It's holding a Jubilee picnic in the park on Sunday June 5 with free children's entertainment, competitions, bouncy castles and face painting.
UK's Longest Chain of Beacons on Hadrian's Wall
The longest chain of beacons in the UK will be lit along Hadrian's Wall to celebrate both the 1900 Festival and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The beacons on the Wall have been given special dispensation to be lit later than those in the rest of the country at 10pm, in recognition of the scale and importance of the anniversary.
Northumberland County Show
The Northumberland County Show is back after a two-year hiatus, with its usual bank holiday Monday date moved to Friday June 3 to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee. Taking place on the grounds of Bywell Hall, there will be a whole host of things going on ahead of the day's main event, the Inter Hunt Relay.
Street parties across the county
The official Gov website has promoted the idea of street parties to residents across the United Kingdom. To find out more on how to organise one, you can visit its official site here. You can also view all of the events that have been planned in your area on the Platinum Jubilee website.
Read next:
- The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: What it's all about and some fun facts for kids
-
Met Office shares Queen's Jubilee weekend forecast - and whether we can expect a June heatwave
-
Things to do with the kids around Northumberland this May half-term
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Hadrian's Wall to form longest chain of beacons in UK for Queen's Platinum Jubilee
-
Northumberland private gardens to open this summer for charity
