Celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in Newport
Posted on Monday 7th February 2022
Newport is gearing up to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a range of events, activities and projects that will benefit the whole city.
Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council, said: “This is a momentous occasion, and we want to encourage celebration across our city.
“As a jubilee city ourselves, we are planning a show, but importantly we want to encourage communities to come together.
“To support this, we are today opening the application process for street party road closures – not only are we here to help, we are also offering to cover some of the costs that can be associated with closing a road.”
Street parties
Guidance on how to safely plan a street party and if required, apply for a road closure, is available at www.newport.gov.uk
Applications will be considered based on safety, suitability of the road and other closures in the area, but if approved, the council will cover the cost of appropriate traffic management measures for the closure (for example, essential signage and cones).
If a street party or road closure is not suitable in your area, there are also alternative ideas of how you can mark the occasion in your community.
The deadline for initial road closure applications is March 31, 2022. Following a review of applications received, a second application round may be announced.
The Queen’s Green Canopy
The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique tree planting initiative which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’.
During the first week of March, there will be special tree planting ceremonies at five Newport schools. Maesglas, Alway, Gaer, St Julian’s and Malpas Court primary schools have been chosen as they celebrated their official openings in the same year as the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
A special commemorative booklet will also reflect on the schools then and now.
All Newport schools will also have the opportunity to plant a tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.
In Tredegar Park, a new avenue of trees will be planted in commemoration, creating enhanced surroundings along part of one of the cities key cycle routes.
Queen’s Jubilee Beacon
The Jubilee Beacons is one of the official events of the Platinum Jubilee. Thousands of beacons will be lit by communities, charities and groups throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
On the evening of Thursday 2 June, Newport’s beacon will be lit at the Queen Elizabeth II field, Ringland. The public will be invited to attend in recognition of the Queen’s long and selfless service.
Beacon Trail
Newport will be taking part in a specially designed augmented reality trail that will create a buzz and raise awareness in the four weeks leading up to the lighting of the Jubilee Beacon.
The trail is an experience where players visit seven characters that have come to life from Buckingham Palace and are visiting locations around Newport on a day out.
Players, guided by Sir Barnaby Beacon, visit each character, learning about a different decade in Her Majesty’s 70-year reign and ‘choose their own adventure’ as they progress around the trail.
Application for Lord Mayor status
Newport has made an application for Lord Mayor status as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. An announcement is expected later in the year.
Councillor Mudd added: “As we approach the twentieth anniversary of Newport receiving city status, we felt the time was right to apply for our first citizen to have the honour of using a title that befits that status.
“We’re delighted to have the support of the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent for our application which, if successful, will see us become the third city in Wales to have Lord Mayoralty status conferred upon us.”
Further details about these and other exciting events and activities currently being developed by the council and its partners will be released closer to the time.
Councillor Mudd, concluded: “We have had two very challenging years and the Jubilee is a great opportunity to come together as a city and in our communities. I look forward to celebrating with the people of Newport.”