Dazzling diamond jubilee planned

Ipswich Borough Council is working with Ipswich Building Society to give a dazzling diamond salute to Her Majesty on Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th June.

On the Sunday a Big Jubilee Lunch will take over the Cornhill with a piazza-style dining experience including table service from surrounding cafes, pubs and restaurants, along with music and street entertainment with a Commonwealth twist. Celebrations will continue with a family picnic and entertainment on the Mansion Lawn in Christchurch Park. Expect flag waving like the town hasn't seen since Queen Victoria's own Diamond Jubilee 116 years ago!

On Monday 4th June a series of 2,012 beacons will be lit across the UK, with Her Majesty lighting the first from Buckingham Palace. Ipswich is one of just 42 towns and cities in the UK given this honour and our beacon will be lit at 10pm beside Christchurch Mansion, with a full programme of activities and entertainment through the day including parades, music and fireworks.

The Ipswich Diamond Jubilee Celebrations are being supported by Ipswich Building Society, which is spearheading a campaign to find a member of the public to light the Ipswich beacon. People wanting to be considered for this unique opportunity can apply to do so in one of their branches.

Councillor David Ellesmere, the Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: "This is going to be one of the highlights of the 2012 calendar. The Queen has given a lifetime of service to the country and Ipswich will be leading the way in celebrating her reign. I hope that communities across the town will also join in with their own events."