Woking comes together to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
8 June 2022
The hour-long ceremony featured music composed specifically to mark The Queen’s seventieth year on the throne and the lighting of a beacon chain across the Commonwealth.
Piper, Elysée Spacie from Gordon’s School, performed ‘Diu Regnare’, meaning ‘Long to Reign’ in Latin, and had everyone clapping to her version of ‘Scotland the Brave’, whilst fellow pupil, Jess Fowler who had the honour of announcing the lighting of the beacon with a bugle call entitled ‘Majesty’.
The moment the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Saj Hussain, lit the beacon, an 80-person community choir burst into song, performing ‘A Life Lived with Grace’. Then it was the turn of the audience, which led by singer, Simon Greenhill, joined together to sing ‘Sweet Caroline’.
Speaking about the event, Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “There was a great attendance and a lovely atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.”
The same could be said for the rest of the borough’s celebrations, which started earlier in the week with themed lunches, live music and entertainment at the borough’s community centres.
The atmosphere in Woking Town Centre remained jubilant all weekend long, with residents enjoying coverage of Trooping the Colour and the Platinum Pageant live on the big screen in Jubilee Square. In addition to the festive decorations, visitors could also enjoy free outdoor games and handmade ice-cream from a vintage ice-cream cart.
The lively and interactive Service of Thanksgiving inside Christ Church due to the threat of rain but it didn’t stop the enjoyment of barbecued food or the wearing of golden crowns, as people danced and swayed along Mercia Walk to tracks performed by seven-piece band, the Reprobates.
Riette Thomas, Woking Borough Council’s, Celebrate Woking Manager said: “It’s been wonderful to see people come together again, and I hope we’ve created a memorable occasion for our residents. This is a moment in history, which unites us and that we can all be proud of. Thank you to everyone that worked with us to host a celebration fit for a queen.”
70 photos from Woking’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations
Woking's Platinum Jubilee image gallery