This year the United Kingdom will witness the first coronation of a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1953. I therefore wanted to update my constituents on the latest plans to mark this historic occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty the Queen Consort. The Coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May 2023 with all the long-standing traditions and pageantry that best exemplifies our nation.
As well as the ceremonial and constitutional events taking place in London, which I hope my constituents will be able to attend, this is an occasion for everyone in the area to feel involved with the Coronation wherever they are in the constituency. A national programme of events has been scheduled, offering opportunities for millions of people to involve themselves in the UK-wide celebrations.
I have listed local events available to everyone below, however, for more details, the Government has launched an interactive website - Coronation.gov.uk - which includes key information about the Coronation, links to guidance, information and resources, including downloadable materials my constituents can use. The website also includes an interactive map of community events across the country. I encourage any constituents planning to host or put on events to add their activities to the map, as well as make use of it to find other events happening in the local area.
The Coronation Big Lunch – 7th May 2023
The Coronation “Big Lunch” is an opportunity for neighbours and communities across the United Kingdom to come together to share food and fun on Sunday 7th May 2023, in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Tens of thousands of Coronation Big Lunches are expected to take place in every corner of the United Kingdom in May and I encourage all communities in the constituency to get involved. Free downloadable resources with more details on how to plan and organise a Coronation Big Lunch will be made available online at www.coronationbiglunch.com.
The Big Help Out – 8th May 2023
The “Big Help Out” will take place on Monday 8th May, in the form of an additional bank holiday to mark the Coronation. In tribute to His Majesty the King’s lifetime of public service, the Big Help Out is an opportunity for constituents to try volunteering in their local communities, highlighting the positive impact volunteering has on the local area and good causes people can help support. I am in full support of this initiative and want to encourage colleagues, local businesses, charities, community organisations and individuals to get involved on the day and beyond. The website, www.thebighelpout.org.uk, will be regularly updated leading up to the Coronation.
Coronation Concert
A spectacular Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle will showcase iconic locations across the UK by lighting them lit up with projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. In addition to the public ballot, which has allocated tickets on a geographical basis to ensure that people from every region of the United Kingdom are able to attend the concert in Windsor, representatives from charities, youth and community groups will also be invited and the concert will be shown on screens around the country, making it a truly national event.
National Lottery funding
National Lottery funding for local community projects to celebrate the Coronation will be available from a range of sources. For example, the National Lottery Heritage Fund is expanding its UK-wide “New to Nature” partnership programme and create traineeships to help young people begin new careers in environmental organisations. The National Lottery Community Fund is available of up to £10,000 for events and activities and applications made now will provide funding for events to take place throughout the summer following the Coronation weekend.
For any organisations that want to apply for funding, criteria and terms and conditions can be found here: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/under10k
The Government also anticipates that local authorities will want to organise and facilitate local celebratory events. They have written to local authorities in England, including Havering Council, asking them to support residents who want to organise street parties of their own. Official guidance for those wanting to organising street parties in England can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/your-guide-to-organising-a-street-party/yourguide-to-organising-a-street-party.
In preparation for the day of the Coronation itself, more than £1 million has been made available by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to allow more than 30 UK locations to host public viewing sessions on big screens to show the Coronation. A full list of locations hosting public viewings on these screens can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/big-screens-to-go-up-acrossthe-country-to-show-coronation
I hope this information is useful to my constituents who want to put on local events to celebrate the Coronation with their neighbours and the wider community. I look forward to seeing, and taking part in, the exciting and creative ways in which communities across Hornchurch and Upminster choose to mark the Coronation of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort.
Card for the King
In addition to the ceremonial events in London and the community activities outlined above, I am currently hosting a “Card for the King” competition, inviting all talented young artists from across Hornchurch and Upminster to design a card for the King. All the children need to do is to design a picture on an A4 piece of paper which, if chosen, will be printed on to a card for the King!
There is still time to enter, however, all entries must be received by Monday 3rd April. the competition is open to all primary age children from Hornchurch and Upminster and the winning design will be chosen by me, to be sent to Buckingham Palace on behalf of the people of my constituency. The winner will be invited to come to tea with me in the Houses of Parliament. Entry is limited to one design per child, please include their full name, age, school and address.
To enter, designs can be emailed to me at [email protected] or sent to my constituency office at The Coach House, 133 Hall Lane, Upminster RM14 1AL.
