Busy weekend of Jubilee celebrations for Burnham and Highbridge

A busy weekend of events is underway across the Burnham-On-Sea area as celebrations to mark the Queen's Jubilee are held.

The full diary of Jubilee events in the Burnham and Highbridge area is as follows.

SATURDAY 2 JUNE:

9.45am Apex Leisure Park: Unveiling of the Commemorative Jubilee Wall and seating (provided by the Rotary Club of Burnham).
11am Start of town's Jubilee Parade to the beach, with a band from our French twin town of Le Ferre, and led by Burnham's Olympic torch bearers.
11.30am At the water feature at the junction of Marine Drive a plaque to mark the extension of the grassed area and additional seating as part of this year's Jubilee celebrations will be unveiled. During the morning a fairground organ will play in this area.
Noon - Expected time the parade will reach the top of Pier Street to assemble on the beach just north of the pavilion.
12.30pm Attempt on a world record for the most number of sandcastles built in one hour. All welcome - click here for more details.
1.30pm Jubilee picnic in the refurbished Marine Cove Gardens (bring your own picnic). Performances from Punch & Judy, and music from a fairground organ. See the handmade bunting adorning the shelters.
10am to 4pm: Royal British Legion Open Day in Victoria Street, including a visit from the Somerset Motorcycle Club.
2pm: Brent Knoll Jubilee Fete - on the village green.
3pm: In Highbridge, the unveiling by the Mayor and deputy Mayor of a commemorative plaque on the base of the newly-designed four faced pillar clock in Jubilee Gardens, the costs of which have been met by public and private donations. The French band from Le Ferre will play in the gardens, and later on Highbridge Town Green.
4pm Over 60s Jubilee tea party in Highbridge Community Hall for those Highbridge residents who have reserved seats. For more details please contact Mrs Rosemarie Parsons by telephoning 785427.
6pm Burnham Esplanade: Arrival of Vale of Avalon Vintage cars from Glastonbury in Morrisons car park. Prizes to be presented by the Town Mayor, including a special Jubilee cup donated by RCH Brewery. There will also be a display of early bicyles courtesy of Mr Andy Brewer on the grassed area near the pilot office.
During the late afternoon/early evening, a sail-past by members of the Burnham Motor Boat and Sailing Club will take place.

SUNDAY 3 JUNE:

11.30am Service of Thanksgiving for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen at St Andrew's church, Burnham-on-Sea
12.30 Ceremony to mark the refurbishment of the 1887 Jubilee drinking fountain at Sea View Road and unveiling of a Diamond Jubilee Stone. The Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, the Mayor and his deputies will attend this event. Cups to be provided to "take the water"
Noon to 5pm "Jubilee Jazz in the Park" in the Manor Gardens, organised by CADS. At approx. 1pm there will be a brief halt for the unveiling of a plaque marking the refurbishment of the band stand in Jubilee year. The Sedgemoor Chairman and the Mayor will be attending the ceremony.
6.30pm "Churches Together" open air service in Marine Cove (if inclement weather in near by St Andrews Church)

MONDAY 4 JUNE:

12 noon to 7pm: Jubilee family fun day next to the Bay Centre in Cassis Close, featuring live music from local musicians, a fairground organ and Punch & Judy shows, a boucy castles, and much more. There will also be a Royal-themed fancy-dress parade, a raffle and a tombola. This is a non-profit making event with all proceeds going to local voluntary groups and charities. All welcome.
2pm: Jubilee Picnic on Brent Knoll Village Green or parish hall if inclement weather
Many street parties are planned today - the Mayor or one of his two deputies will endeavour to visit as many as possible to present a certificate to the organiser.
10pm: Jubilee sing song around a camp fire on Brent Knoll followed at 10.30pm by the lighting of the Brent Knoll bonfire and beacon
10.15pm Lighting of a Jubilee beacon where the River Brue joins the River Parett as part of the national chain of Jubilee beacons (the last beacon being lit by Her Majesty the Queen herself at 10.30pm). The best position to see the beacon will be from The Esplanade, towards the Yacht Club. The Town Council is grateful to Hillview Junior Carnival Club for its assistance with constructing the beacon.

TUESDAY 5 JUNE:

During the morning a fairground organ will be set up close to the top of the jetty.
1pm onwards Afternoon cream tea in Marine Cove Gardens with entertainment from the Burnham and Highbridge Town Band, and from Punch & Judy.

OTHER CELEBRATIONS:

Between 28 May and 7 June there will be displays in shopwindows in Burnham-On-Sea to mark Her Majesty the Queen's 60 years' reign.
As part of the celebrations the Ritz Cinema will be showing the award-winning film "The Queen" For further details on times please contact the Ritz cinema.
Three specially-designed flower beds (funded jointly by the Town Council and Sedgemoor District Council) have been planted in Jubilee Gardens in Highbridge, the entrance to Apex Park, and at the Esplanade end of Sea View Road.

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