Programme of Events
East Grinstead Town Council and many of the town’s organisations and individuals have joined together to bring you a diverse and memorable programme of events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Starting on the 2 of May the Town Museum launches their exhibition ‘A Sovereign Celebration’. Showing events in the Queen’s reign, and her association with the town over the years.
Then we hope that you will enjoy the concerts, recitals and the Diamond Jubilee Ball together with other events, which take us up to the Big Jubilee Weekend of 3 and 4 June. There are two full days of events through into the evening, and the Big Parade really shouldn’t be missed, it’s a real link to the town’s history of carnival pageants in the past. The East Court estate plays host to the town, and you are all invited to come and enjoy the grounds throughout the day and evening. Many people will be hosting family picnics and others using the food and drink facilities on site over both days. Either way we’re sure that you will enjoy the music and all that’s on offer and hope that you will also be there at the grand finale with our very special Firework display set to music.
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Exhibition – Town Museum in Cantelupe Road
From 2 May to 24 June
‘A sovereign Celebration – Long to Reign Over us’
Tuesdays to Saturdays 10.00 to 4.00
Sundays 2.00 to 5.00 pm
Royal visits to East Grinsteadover the years
Launch Party – Town Museum in Cantelupe Road
Saturday 5 May
Celebrate with Coronation Cupcakes for the Exhibition 10.00 to 4.00
No charge for refreshments
Diamond Jubilee East Grinstead Primary Schools Choir Competition – Jubilee Centre, Charlwoods Road
Saturday 26 May 2012 6:30 – 8:45 (Competition to start at 7:00)
New Life Church and West Sussex Music Service present the Diamond Jubilee Choir Competition. Involving the Primary schools of East Grinsteadthis will be a fantastic evening of choral singing. These young voices will sing us through the decades of the Queensreign as they compete for the coveted Jubilee Trophy. Limited general tickets available from Jubilee Community Centre from 8 May price £5. For more information email simon@nlceg.co.uk
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert – St Swithun’s Church
Tuesday 29 May 7.30 pm
East Grinstead Choral Society is celebrating Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee with this special concert, in the very year that they too celebrate their 60th birthday! The exciting programme includes two of Handel’s Coronation anthems ‘Zadok The Priest and ‘Let thy Hand be Strengthened’ as well as the appropriately regal ‘I was glad’!
By Hubert Parry. The choir, directed by Richard Jenkinson, will be joined by children fromHalsfordPark, Baldwins Hill, St Mary’s and St Peter’s schools who will also be singing their own items.
An evening with Bill Brown – East Grinstead Library, West Street
Author of “Billy Brown, I’ll tell your Mother”
Thursday May 31 7.00pm
Tickets £3 available from the library
Bill Brown’s memoirs of growing up in post war Brixton came second in a competition to find the “People’s Author” on the Alan Titchmarsh show in 2010.
By the time he was 10 years old Billy Brown was running a successful Black Market business, Billy Brown could get it, or knew a man who could !
“A delightful autobiography that will make you smile and laugh out Loud!”
Diamond Jubilee Ball – Jubilee Centre, Charlwoods Road
Saturday 2 June 8.00pm to 11.30pm
The ConChord Big Band celebrate 60 Years of the Queen’s reign.
A night for dancing to the wonderful music that has entertained us throughout the adult years of the Queen’s life, performed by the 17 piece ConChord Big Band and singers. In addition there will be a cabaret. Food is included in the ticket price as well as there being a licensed bar to toast Her Majesty’s long and successful reign.
More details phone 01342 322646 email info@conchordbigband.com
Tickets on sale by application at £20.00 each – why not get a party together?
Flower and Community Display – St Swithun’s Church
Saturday 2 June to Monday 4 June
From Saturday 2 June until Monday 4 June there will be a flower exhibition and displays by community groups in the Parish Church of St. Swithun East Grinstead. Refreshments will be available in the Church hall. The Church will be open as usual on each of the three days. Admission free. Donations gratefully received. The Civic service will be held in the Church on the Sunday morning at 10a.m. All are welcome.
Jubilee Disco – East Grinstead Social and Ex-Services Club
Station Road, East Grinstead 01342 321384
Saturday 2 June 7.00pm to Midnight
The Club will be open to all and non-members are most welcome to come in and enjoy the Queen’s Jubilee with us. Open also on Sunday 3 June from 11.00 am to 11.00 pm with a raffle, and a snooker match in aid of Help for Heroes. On Monday 4 June open again from 11.00 am to 11.00 pm with Meat Raffle in the afternoon.
The Big Jubilee Weekend
Day One. Sunday 3 June
10.00 am Interdenominational Church Service at St Swithun’s Church
12.30 am Giant Town Parade
The parade Lines up in Railway Approach with floats, walking groups, a marching band, vintage and classic vehicles including vintage emergency and military vehicles. The route passes upLondon Roadand the High Street and then downCollege Lane to East Court, where many vehicles will be on display for the day.
107 Meridian FM will be covering the day’s events live on air Live coverage of the day. Keep tuned for news and updates through the day
2.00 pm to 7.00 pm East Court Fun Day and The Big Lunch
Fun Fair attractions and stalls operated by local charities fun and games for one and all. East Grinstead Lions famous Burger & Hot Dog stall plus a Beer Tent through the day. Cream Teas on the terrace. Plenty of space for the family to spread out and picnic.
Meridian FM Music Live Roadshow featuring local bands hosted by DJ Terry Sumner, Playing through the day through to the early evening.
8.00 pm to 10.30 pm Meridian Music Live Teen Music Festival in the Meridian Hall Meridian FM ticketed teen band concert on behalf of East Grinstead Town Council. Tickets on the door £5 in advance £4. Soft drinks available also Burgers and Hot Dogs. See Meridian FM website for details.
Please note that there is limited disabled parking on the East Court Estate on both days of the Big Weekend. No other car parking will be permitted.
Day Two. Monday 4 June
2.00 pm to 9.45 pm East Court Fun Day continues ,with fair ground attractions open in the afternoon and early evening . The Beer Tent re-opens and there will be a hog roast.
Meridian FM Free Party in the Park Disco Roadshow for younger teens and families
9.30 pm Torch Parade and National Beacon lighting (timing between 9.30 & 10.00 pm)
Meridian FM music and live coverage of the beacon and music for the firework display.
10.15 pm – 10.30 pm (following beacon lighting) Fireworks to Music
This is the climax to the weekend celebrations in the impressive setting of the East Court Estate. The most exciting firework display yet seen in the town brings the big Jubilee Weekend to a close.
Live coverage of the day broadcast by 107 Meridian FM. Keep tuned for news and updates through the day
Please note that there is limited disabled parking on the East Court Estate on both days of the Big Weekend. No other car parking will be permitted.
Teddy Bears Picnic and Bear Hunt
Wednesday June 6 11.00 – 13.00
Joint Library and Children and Family Centre event
To be held in the grounds of East Court College Lane, East Grinstead
Bring your picnic and join us for Storytelling, Rhymes and a Bear Hunt in the woods! Meet the Bookstart Bear!
For families and children up to 5 years All children to be accompanied by parents or carers. Tickets not required, just come along and join us.
“Glittering in the Garden” – East Grinstead Library, West Street
Thursday June 7 10.30 – 11.30
Free event
Children’s Craft Activity to be held at the Library (in the garden if fine).
Come along and make your own special Diamond Jubilee Garden mobile.
For Children aged 5 – 11. All children to be accompanied by parents or carer.
Free Tickets available from the Library
1897 : How West Sussex celebrated The last Royal Diamond Jubilee – East Grinstead Library, West Street
Thursday June 7 7.00pm
Tickets £3 available from the library
An illustrated talk by Martin Hayes, County Local Studies Librarian
Martin explores, using original sources such as photos, newspaper articles and posters how various West Sussex towns and villages celebrated the last great public event of Queen Victoria’s reign
Jubilee Crafts Day – Town Museum in Cantelupe Road
Friday 8 June
Craft making fun & games for children 5 to 11 10.30 to 3.00 £1 per child
The Library Big Royal Jubilee Quiz – East Grinstead Library, West Street
Friday June 8 7.00pm
Tickets £10 to include a Fish and Chip supper
Teams of 6 or we will find you a team to join on the night
Come along and enjoy Red Herring’s Diamond Jubilee Quiz Night with a difference
Tickets for events available from the Library 01342 410050
or by email east.grinstead.library@westsussex.gov.uk