THE Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations have started, and Herefordshire has many more plans in place to celebrate the occasion today (June 3).

The Big Jubilee Lunch

Every year since the idea began in 2009 The Big Lunch has encouraged communities to celebrate their connections and get to know each other a little bit better, coming together in a spirit of fun and friendship.

In 2022 The Big Lunch will bring the Jubilee celebrations into the heart of every community.

Herefordshire Council and the Herefordshire Lieutenancy are encouraging residents to throw a street party to celebrate the The Queen's Big Jubilee Lunch.

People are invited to share friendship, food, and fun with neighbours as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

A Big Jubilee Lunch can be big or small - street party or picnic, tea and cake or a garden barbecue.

Find all villages and towns in Herefordshire taking part here.

HEREFORD

There will be a picnic in the park will The Quarry, in Tupsley, all day, with entertainment, food stalls, children's events, a period tea tent, and more.

ROSS-ON-WYE

Walford Avenue, Tudorville, will close for a street party between 9am and 11.30pm.

The southwestern half of Wye Street, by the bandstand, will close for a town council event between 5.30pm and 11pm.

Ross Platinum Festival will take place at The Bandstand, in Caroline Symonds Gardens, between 7pm and 10pm.

BROMYARD

Bromyard started its jubilee celebrations on April 30 with a beacon trail, followed by workshops at the conquest theatre.

Across the jubilee weekend Bromyard will be hosting its scarecrow festival and children’s jubilee hunt.

There will be a party on the green at 2pm followed by a street food market in the Square at 4pm.

LEDBURY

Ledbury community day will take place in the Burgage and St Katherine’s Halls, the community hall and other venues in Ledbury. 

There will also be a town council stand at the Recreation Ground. 

Most venues will be open from 10am to 2pm.

Over 50 groups and organisations who serve Ledbury and District in all kinds of ways will join in to tell you what they do, how they can help you and how perhaps you can help them.

The community band will play, the bells will ring, the bowlers will bowl and the community choir will sing. 

There will be groups who can offer you advice and support with home-care, bereavement, energy efficiency, living sustainably, social activities, local church activities, the local Talk Community Hub and meditation with the Adhistana community. 

Local volunteer organisations will be looking for more people to help them including refugee support, the food bank and Guide Dogs. 

You will be able to explore all kinds of interests including the natural world, the canal, the theatre, cycling, sport, gardening, the heritage buildings and history, the arts, local food, local poetry hub, a local boy who became Poet Laurate and have a go bell-ringing.

For younger people theArmy Cadets and the Maritime Cadets will be there. For the very young people visit the Dream Your Future stand and Busy Bees.

Wildplay Living Crown making workshops will take place in Ledbury library between 10am and 12pm.

These will be family drop-in sessions, and there is no need to book.

Belle Orchard will be hosting a street party for an unspecified period.

The rugby club is also hosting a family fun day between 12pm and 6pm, featuring a bar and barbecue, inflatable assault course and bouncy castle, tombola, face painting, Brownies stall and lucky dip.

A Platinum Jubilee Fete is taking place at Queenswood in Cradley between 11am and 6pm and to round off the weekend.

There will be a picnic at 12pm on the Cradley Church lawn.

HAY-ON-WYE

A carnival parade will go around the town with a fancy dress theme is historic events over last 70 years. The parade starts at Cartref at 12.30pm and finishes in the memorial square car park, when judging will take place, by a surprise special guest.

It will be followed by the big bring your own picnic community lunch, with extra provided by the council and live music.

All events are free to residents, including afternoon tea, but alcohol, drinks, ice cream and food stalls from vendors will have a charge.

PETERCHURCH

The village will be hosting a Royal Scarecrows in Picture Exhibition, and Jubilee Bunting, a Ceilidh, community picnic, drumming workshops, community choir, shoebox theatre, magic show, duck race and rock band on Saturday, June 4. 

Find the list of events here.

ORLETON

St George's Church is well known for the flower festivals it has held very successfully over past years.

This year Orleton is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee from 11am-5pm each day. The theme will depict the palaces and houses of the House of Windsor.

The flower group consists of six enthusiastic, friendly flower arrangers, but Anna Read, their leader, would welcome more helpers.

KINGSTON

The village hall has an open afternoon from 12pm to show what it can offer to residents.