Kilmington unveils plans for 'unforgettable' Platinum Jubilee celebrations

The village of Kilmington has announced a full four-day programme of events to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June.

The country will enjoy a four-day Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 to mark the Queen's 70 years on the throne.

And Kilmington is going all out to mark the occasion, with hopes that residents and businesses will join in by decorating their properties and gardens in red, white and blue.

Kilmington gardening Club will be selling a selection of red, white and blue flowering plants at their annual plant sale in May to help make the village as colourful as possible for the big weekend.

Residents are also being asked to take part in one of their favourite traditions – scarecrow making – with the aim of beating the village's current record of 50 scarecrows on display, this time with a royal theme.

The four-day programme of events will then get underway on Thursday, June 2 with the Platinum Beacon Party in the evening, including a barbecue, bar and music. At about 9.15pm the village will then join more than 1,500 other communities up and down the country in lighting a special jubilee beacon on St Giles' tower.

On Saturday, June 4 there will be a treasure hunt and cream tea in the afternoon, followed by an evening disco with barbecue and bar.

A jubilee church service will get events underway on Sunday, June 5, followed by The Big Jubilee Lunch, including a family picnic, fancy dress competitions for children and adults, family sports, teas, coffees and ice creams.

Organisers said: "It will be an unforgettable, once in a lifetime celebration. In the coming months, this programme will develop and we'll be looking for some help to pull it all together."

Regular updates will be posted on the Kilmington Now Facebook page.