By Chloe Kerfoot, What’s On Writer
Communities across Huddersfield are preparing to party to celebrate a moment in history that will never be repeated.
A double Bank Holiday marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – a unique celebration of Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne – and there are events large and small organised right across Huddersfield.
Kirklees Council will mark the occasion by the lighting of the Castle Hill Beacon on Thursday (June 2).
The ceremony will include musical performances from 9.15pm before the beacon lighting at 9.45pm, which will be conducted by the new Mayor of Kirklees Clr Masood Ahmed supported by local Scouts.
Families can enjoy a choice of free fun days taking place at parks across Kirklees on Saturday and Sunday June 4 and 5 including Greenhead Park and Beaumont Park in Huddersfield.
Classical music fans can enjoy a rousing ‘Last night of the Proms’ style concert performed by Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra at Dewsbury Town Hall on Sunday June 5 (5pm) with patriotic classics such as Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem and Rule Britannia.
Kirklees Council leader Clr Shabir Pandor said: “We have a fantastic community spirit in Kirklees and I’m delighted that people across Kirklees can take advantage of the extended bank holiday weekend to come together at one of our free, inclusive and accessible events to celebrate the Queen’s historic jubilee.
“As well as the events, and the lighting of the Castle Hill Beacon, we will be marking this unprecedented anniversary by proudly flying special platinum jubilee flags at all our Town Hall buildings across Kirklees.
“Ahead of the celebrations, I’d like to wish all our residents a happy Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend and hope they come together with family, friends and neighbours to enjoy the festivities on offer.”
Here’s a list of what’s happening and when
Event: Beacon Lighting at Castle Hill
Where: Castle Hill, Huddersfield
When: Thursday June 2 (9.15pm)
Tickets: There are no tickets required, and admission is free.
What’s happening: The ceremony will include musical performances from 9.15pm, followed by the lighting of the beacon at 9.45pm.
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Event: Jubilee Beacon Lighting Celebration
Where: Cliff Recreation Grounds, Holmfirth
When: Thursday June 2 (9pm-10.30pm)
Tickets: There are no tickets required, and admission is free.
What’s happening: The beacon will be lit at 9.45pm to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The beacon will be part of a network of over 1,500 across the United Kingdom and beyond. Music will be provided before and after the lighting by the Hade Edge Band and a lone piper. There will be music written especially for the occasion, as well as popular songs from the Queen’s reign. Please bring a torch and sturdy shoes, walk to the venue, or park elsewhere.
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Event: Jubilee and summer seashore workshops
Where: Tolson Museum, Ravensknowle Park, Moldgreen
When: Thursday June 2
Tickets: Free admission, charges for craft activities (12noon-3pm)
What’s happening: Get stuck into some fun jubilee themed and summer seashore family crafts. You can choose from seashore silk-painted cards (£7.50), jubilee crowns (£5), jubilee celebration poppers (£3.50), Fathers’ Day light-up cards (£4.50) and free seashore and jubilee colouring activities. There will be discounts available for multiple children and activities.
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Event: Jubilee Afternoon Tea & Picnic
Where: Tolson Museum
When: Thursday June 2
Tickets: Free admission, charges for craft activities (12noon-3pm)
What’s happening: Commemorate the Platinum Jubilee with Tolson Museum’s dedicated afternoon tea menu. Pre-order and collect your take-out afternoon tea box and enjoy the celebrations in the beautiful Ravensknowle Park.
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Event: Parent Sanctuary – Family Fun Day
Where: Greenhead Park, Huddersfield
When: Thursday June 2 (11am-3pm)
Tickets: Tickets are £11.32 on the day.
What’s happening: Toddler triathlon, walks, guided meditations, interactive giant art, yoga, parent races, t-shirt designing, craft messages to the Queen, shopping, food and fun! The first 100 tickets sold on the day will receive a free goody bag.
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Event: Waves Jubilee Fundraiser
Where: Waves 2, Upper Mills, Slaithwaite.
When: Thursday June 2 10am-3pm
Tickets: Free
What’s happening: Afternoon tea, tombola, raffle, fun, games, face-painting, HD9 Community Brass and much more.
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Event: Jubilee Picnic (Linthwaite)
Where: Lane Top, Linthwaite.
When: Friday June 3 (11am)
Tickets: Free event
What’s happening: An informal community picnic with free jubilee-themed craft activities.
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Event: 1950s & Royalty themed exhibition and activities
Where: Tolson Museum, Moldgreen
When: Friday June 3 (11am-4pm)
Tickets: There are no tickets required, and admission is free.
What’s happening: Tolson Museum invites everyone to step back in time to the start of the Queen’s reign to learn about life in the 1950s. Handle real museum objects and memorabilia from the museum’s 1950s and Royalty memory boxes up close and personal.
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Event: Jubilee Family Fun Day
Where: Greenhead Park, Huddersfield
When: Saturday June 4 (12noon-7pm)
Tickets: There are no tickets required, and admission is free.
What’s happening: Kirklees Council is encouraging families to bring a picnic and enjoy the park celebrations as part of the Jubilee Big Lunch celebrations. Walkabout entertainment will include live music on the bandstand, craft activities and workshops in which families can participate.
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Event: Beaumont Park Celebration Weekend
Where: Beaumont Park, Huddersfield
When: Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5 (12noon-4pm)
Tickets: Free event (cost for refreshments in Visitor Centre)
What’s happening: On Saturday JB Goode will be on the bandstand, there will also be a funfair and catering van serving burgers and hotdogs. On Sunday, Sundown Swing will be on the bandstand, there will also be a dog show, funfair and catering van offering a full range of refreshments.
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Event: Padstock outdoor live music event
Where: Paddock Cricket Club, West View Rise, Paddock
When: Saturday June 4 – Gates open: 6.30pm. Stage: 8pm
Tickets: £10 from the club on 01484 559787
What’s happening: Family fun day from 12noon. Live outdoor music festival from 6.30pm featuring bands including Little & Often, Eleven18 and Storm. Real ale tent.
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Event: Jubilee celebration with Helen Rowen
Where: RSPCA shop, New Street, Huddersfield town centre.
When: Saturday June 4 (11am onwards)
Tickets: Free to attend, but some charges may apply.
What’s happening: There will be a live performance by 1940s singer Helen Rowan hosted outside the RSPCA shop on New Street. Come along and join in the dancing, having your face painted, crown making crafts for children, and afternoon tea and cakes to celebrate.
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Event: Brass on the Grass
Where: Grange Moor Brass Band Rooms, Liley Lane, Grange Moor.
When: Saturday June 4 (2pm)
Tickets: Free
What’s happening: Join the band for an impromptu concert opposite the band room.
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Event: Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert
Where: Dewsbury Town Hall
When: Sunday June 5 (5pm)
Tickets: £5 plus booking fee from Kirklees Box Office website
What’s happening: Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra’s ‘Last Night of the Proms’-style concert.
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Event: Queen’s Jubilee Festival Crafters & Makers Fair
Where: The Shepherds Arms pub, Huddersfield
When: Sunday June 5 (1pm)
Tickets: Free to attend.
What’s happening: Join the Shepherds Arms for their Jubilee Crafters & Makers Fair, where you’ll be able to view and purchase wonderful finds from over 40 local businesses. Catch up with your favourite makers whilst enjoying refreshments and taking part in raffles.
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Event: Platinum Jubilee Party
Where: St Mark’s Church, Longwood.
When: Sunday June 5 (12.30pm-4pm)
Tickets: Free to attend.
What’s happening: There will be a barbecue, bouncy castle, stalls, cakes, drinks, tombola and live music.
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Event: Jubilee Street Party
Where: Jubilee Centre, Market Street, Paddock.
When: Sunday June 5 (12noon-3.30pm)
Tickets: Various prices
What’s happening: There will be a big Jubilee lunch from noon-1pm, bring a chair and something to share. Afterwards – 1pm-3pm – there will be a series of activities and rides, such as a carousel, donkey rides, craft stalls, games stalls, a cafe, wind band, a series of craft competitions for different age groups. There will also be a film made by local over 80s about their memories of the Coronation, as well as sculptures, live music and face painting.
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Event: The Shepley Band
Where: Tolson Memorial Gardens, Ravensknowle Park, Moldgreen.
When: Sunday June 5 (2pm-4pm)
Tickets: Free to attend.
What’s happening: Since 1855, during Queen Victoria’s reign, the Shepley Band has taken their unique local blend of brass and woodwind across Europe to Sweden, Italy, and Germany. As part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, they will perform in the Tolson Memorial Gardens.
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Event: Jubilee Jamboree
Where: Smile Bar & Venue, Wakefield Road, Aspley.
When: Sunday June 5 from 12noon-4pm
Tickets: £6 adults and £4 children plus booking fees – see www.smilebarandvenue.co.uk
What’s happening: Smile’s first children’s party in the newly-renovated main hall. A packed afternoon of dancing, games and magic!
Where’s Padstock?
Hi, It’s a music festival at Paddock Cricket Club. Details of the event are listed in the article.