A TASTE of royal pomp and splendour came to Redditch today as residents in Church Hill got a very special surprise visit from The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band).
As the country gears up for the Platinum Jubilee, The Queen’s troops were helping bring the celebration to the nation by recognising one community that has stepped up to celebrate this June with over 40 Big Jubilee Lunches planned to bring neighbours together on local streets.
After the surprise performance, the community and The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) shared a special Big Jubilee Lunch to talk about the upcoming plans and get to know one another a little.
To mark just five weeks until the extended Platinum Jubilee bank holiday the military marching band delivered some royal ceremony and musical splendour performing a medley of tunes before joining locals for an early Big Jubilee Lunch.
Normally found performing at major national and international events, residents were treated to a once in a lifetime performance from the band as it surprised the neighbourhood with a specially curated musical medley.
After the performance, the world-famous band joined the community for a Big Jubilee Brunch on trestle tables laid out along one of the closes.
Church Hill is among thousands of communities across the UK that will be celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over June 2-5 during a special bank holiday by holding a Big Jubilee Lunch.
Church Hill Big Local Partnership project, funded by The National Lottery, has organised a Big Jubilee Lunch in Bomford Hill Park, Redditch, on Sunday, June 5, inviting everyone living locally to join in the celebrations.
The group has also organised and given out more than 40 special party packs to residents so that they have everything they need to hold Big Jubilee Lunch street parties, enjoying friendship, food and fun with neighbours over the bank holiday weekend.
Hayley Price, co-chair of Church Hill Big Local, said: “We can’t quite believe that our community has been chosen for this incredible celebration.
“People are joining in with Big Jubilee Lunches in cities, towns, and villages everywhere and yet we are being treated to this very special moment.
“Church Hill Big Local got together in June 2012 at the time of the Diamond Jubilee. Since then, our community has grown from strength to strength, growing connections, working together on so many lovely projects.
“It’s incredibly exciting to bring our whole community together to celebrate what people have achieved so far, to mark our 10-year anniversary this June and celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. What a truly momentous year!”
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) is the most versatile military music unit there is, performing at national and international events, major sporting fixtures and in prestigious concert venues, as well as undertaking operational roles alongside the rest of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
Captain Dan Button, its Director of Music said: “We are delighted to be here today to help drum up support for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Big Jubilee Lunch events that will be taking place right across the country in June.
“The community here at Church Hill will be celebrating the Jubilee in style this year. We hope they really enjoy our special surprise performance this morning.”
The Big Jubilee Lunch will take place from 2 to 5 June and is an official part of the wider Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Made possible by The National Lottery, The Big Jubilee Lunch is supported by PG tips, Nextdoor, Iceland & The Food Warehouse and Pears Foundation. For more information and a free pack to get your party started visit thebigjubileelunch.com
