Council and Democracy

Preparations are under way for a series of events in the district to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

This year the Queen will celebrate the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne and community groups, schools, local businesses, faith groups and public sector organisations will be holding events to mark this very special occasion.

Bradford Council is in the process of putting together a rolling calendar of events for the Diamond Jubilee which can be accessed at www.bradford.gov.uk/queensdiamondjubilee

If your event is not listed, and you would like it to be, please get in touch with us by calling 01274 432276 or emailing diamond.jubilee@bradford.gov.uk. You can also find us on Facebook by searching for ‘Bradford Jubilee’.

Bradford Council is working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Lieutenancy Office (the Queen’s representative in the county) to encourage communities to take part in the celebrations by organising their own projects and events.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Naveeda Ikram, said: "It’s only January and we already have a big programme of events happening across the district to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

"Please let us know how you are planning to mark this very special occasion in your community, or join in with some of the many events happening across the district this year.”

The main events in the district to be confirmed so far include:

• 16 March – VIP opening of new Kala Sangam premises at St Peter’s House in Forster Square
• 20 March – civic reception for recipients of Birthday and New Year’s honours at City Hall, Bradford, hosted by the Lord Mayor.
• 21 April – Lord Mayor’s Jubilee ‘Diamonds and Daffodils’ ball at the Hilton Hotel, Bradford to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care in Bradford.
• 23 April – St George’s Day event with live music and outdoor theatre. 13 May – Jubilee Celebration Service at Bradford Cathedral, led by the Archbishop of York.
• 19 May – Lord Mayor’s Carnival Parade and Civic Service of Thanksgiving in the city centre, with a jubilee theme.
• May/June – multi-cultural Jubilee tea dance, organised by Bradford College.
• 1 June – Bradford Choral Society Diamond Jubilee Concert at Bradford Grammar School.
• 4 June – Official beacon lighting at Haworth & Thornton.
• 30 June – Jubilee Armed Forces Day, drumhead service and Freedom of the City parade in Centenary Square and City Park.
• August/September – 50th anniversary of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway celebrations.
• 8 September – National Heritage Day in City Hall with a special Diamond Jubilee exhibition.

There are more than 60 events and initiatives planned so far across the district and we expect communities will want to hold their own celebrations during the specially extended Bank Holiday weekend of 2-5 June.

There is also a children’s competition currently running to create a storybook and art work to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.