Droitwich Spa will mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by bringing the town to life through an eclectic mix of art, performance, and culture throughout the day on Saturday 4 June thanks to Droitwich Spa Town Council, Curiosity Productions, Arts Council England and Wychavon District Council.
The event will kick off at 10:30am and run until 7pm. To close the end the day, visitors will be encouraged to join in with The Great British Singalong featuring music from the 50s right through to contemporary hits. A variety of delicious street food and drink will be available to tuck into and provided by store holders from the town’s award-winning food and drink festival.
Highlights of the day will include:
The Platinum Jubilee Stage – located in Victoria Square, the stage will feature a series of community concerts including a performances by iSing Choir and Droitwich Community Choir , Bygonz and a renowned west-end singer (you’ll have to come along to find out who 👀) – and more. More performances can be found in St Andrew’s Square Shopping Centre throughout the day.
The Royal Road is an 80-minute walk led by cultural historian Ben Waddington which will explore the history of people’s relationship with the monarchy blending satire, pop culture and history. The walk begins at 11:30am and runs until from 1pm. Between 2pm and 3:30pm, visitors can also attend a guided town walk.
Cake competition – Fancy yourself a star baker? Cafe The Button Tree is hosting a cake competition to celebrate The Platinum Pudding. Witness this great bake off or better yet, take part! Join in with the town’s celebrations by bringing your cakes and desserts to the cake tent in Victoria Square for a chance to win. You don’t have to make the official jubilee dessert, although you can if you’d like!
To enter the competition, you’ll need to register your interest before 11am on the day. To do this, email hannah@inthebuttontree.com or call 01905 775256 🍰
Kapow Dance Circus Theatre will present two performances of Grow – a touching celebration highlighting the power of nature to rejuvenate by taking over manmade spaces. It examines the relationship we have with one another and the natural world. Find Kapow in the St Andrew’s Square Shopping Centre between 1pm-1:30pm and again at 4:40pm-5pm.
Live Poetry Jukebox combines poetry with visual art and performance. The audience is invited to look at a series of miniature artworks contained in jars, each of which is connected to a poem. The performance is presented by actor Adie Mueller and the sets designed by Trui Malten, an international set and lighting designer. This can be found on the green outside the heritage centre.
Funfair – Children’s rides, bungee trampolines, side stalls including ‘hook the duck’ and a vintage bus can be found in Victoria Square (not far from the library).
Urban Canvas will be in the Lido Car Park running a workshop teaching people how to use chalks to create street art with strangely realistic 3D effects. Try your hand at street graffiti from 11am – 3pm.
Platinum Jubilee Wishing Tree – Inspired by the Queen’s Green Canopy, the branches of the tree will feature handmade leaves on which people can write pledges for the future. The wishing tree is the brainchild of artist Sophie Handy. It will commemorate the jubilee and reside in the St Richard’s House Heritage Centre once completed. On the day this can be found outside the centre.
Royal exhibition – St Richard’s Heritage Centre is putting on a special, limited-edition exhibition to celebrate her majesty using memories and memorabilia donated by local residents. When you pop in to have a look, discover Droitwich Spa’s heritage with the salt museum and information on its famous brine baths and lido.
Swimming Gala – Get into the competitive spirit with a swimming gala at Droitwich Spa’s renowned outdoor Lido from 10:30am-12pm.
Friar Street’s street party – Friar Street will also play host to a street party which starts at midday thanks to The Old Cock Inn pub. There will be an outside bar and plenty of seating for guests to picnic with street food, as well as more live music! Wychavon District Council and Droitwich Spa Town Council have contributed £500 of jubilee funding towards this street party. That’s not all! On Thursday from 7:30pm visitors to the pub can enjoy music from Folk Club, between 9pm-11pm on Friday they can dance the night away to duo 80s Alive, and on Sunday from 8pm they can listen to Guitar Club.
B’Opera theatre company will perform a musical play called Alice and The Library Tree in the Droitwich Spa Library. Set to familiar classical music favourites, the play appeals to people of all ages. Between 11am-12pm and again between 2pm-3pm.
Bands in the Park – Escape the hustle and bustle by heading over to Lido Park, where you’ll be serenaded by brass bands performing in the bandstand from 1pm-5pm.
Origami artist Georgina Elsom will decorate the town with cascades of paper and origami flowers which will be hosted in public spaces and the High Street’s shop windows throughout the town. High Street businesses have decorated their windows specially and they look fab! For those of you looking for a little retail therapy on the day, check it out. For a list of the town’s shops, visit our shopping directory
View the map and event schedule
Wow, what a list! Come along with your loved ones and make it a day to remember.
Before Saturday’s celebrations commence, you are encouraged to visit Vines Park to witness the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon-lighting activities on Thursday 2 June. The Beacon is one of thousands being lit in the UK and the Commonwealth, and forms part of the official programme announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee Weekend.
2pm – Hundreds of town criers and 50 Pearly Kings and Queens will announce a specially-written Proclamation. Here, this will be delivered by Mr Edgar Harwood, Town Crier for Droitwich Spa and takes place outside St Richard’s House and later throughout the town.
9.15pm – The 2516 Droitwich Squadron ATC band will play at the main entrance to Vines Park (next to the bridge). This year marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Droitwich Squadron.
9:35pm – Pipers will play ‘Diu Regnare’, a unique tune specially-written for the occasion by Piper Major, Stuart Liddell, the world’s leading piper. This will take place in the St Augustine’s Church grounds at Dodderhill. The Piper has been a provider by the Royal British Legion, Droitwich Spa branch.
9:40pm – Buglers will officially announce the lighting of the beacons with a specially-written bugle call entitled ‘Majesty’ in the church grounds. The bugler has been provided by the Salvation Army in Droitwich Spa.
9:45pm – The beacon will be lit by Councillor Alex Sinton – Leader of Droitwich Spa Town Council & Chairman of Wychavon District Council – in the grounds Dodderhill Church. Droitwich Spa Community Choir will sing ‘Song for the Commonwealth’ composed by Lucy Kelly and Vincent Atueyi Chinemelu. This will be followed by God Save the Queen. Both will be performed at the entrance to Vines Park by the bridge. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Droitwich Spa Community Choir.
10pm – The church’s bells will sound for to herald the occasion.
Visitors are encouraged to view and listen from the vantage point of Vines Park directly beneath St Augustine’s Church. Please do not go up to the church. For more info on the lighting of the beacon, contact Droitwich Spa Town Council.
While you’re waiting for the jubilee to officially start why not head into town for a bite to eat or drink. There are lots of lovely eateries to be found in and around the high street including Gurkha Majestic Dining, Diamond Coffee Bar and All’ Angelo – to name just a few!
For more things to do, go to our events page.
