DORSET has pulled out all the stops to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in style over the long weekend.
Celebrations are officially underway in the county to mark the momentous occasion with the start of the four-day bank holiday weekend.
To mark the special occasion Dorset will see a host of events including the lighting of beacons at a number of locations across the county including in Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport and on Portland.
A whopping 117 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee street parties will be held in the Dorset Council area which will involve road closures.
The county is likely to have many more, taking place on private land, or parks and open spaces, not requiring a legal order to shut the street.
One of the street parties will be hosted by the Waterside Weymouth Community Forum and will take place outside the Park Community Centre in Chelmsford Street from 2pm on Sunday.
There will be music, a choir, entertainment, games, a monarchy quiz and activities for the children.
Dave Burchill from the forum said: "We cannot believe the Queen is still looking after us at 96 after 70 years on the throne, it's going to be great to get everyone and join in with the celebration."
Helen Phelps-Patey, who will be attending the street party, was a policewoman at Windsor during the Queen's Silver Jubilee, and was lucky enough to meet her.
Helen said: "I think she has done a marvellous job. I am looking forward to celebrating another landmark of her historic reign."
As part of the celebrations, Weymouth Town Council will be hosting fireworks on Weymouth Beach at 10pm tonight.
Cllr Ann Weaving, Mayor of Weymouth: “The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be a brilliant boost for the town. To help the community to come together to celebrate the occasion, the town council have provided grants to help support many community events during the extended bank holiday weekend.
“Preparations are underway for our firework display on Weymouth seafront, starting at 10pm on Thursday 2nd June – the fireworks on Weymouth seafront are always extremely popular with local people and visitors and create a brilliant spectacle for all to enjoy, so we’re delighted to be able to put on a special display to mark what is a very special occasion.
"The display will take place after the conclusion of a beacon lighting ceremony at the Nothe Fort – this is part of a nationwide initiative which will see beacons simultaneously lit throughout the UK in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”
The iconic Weymouth Land Train will be running on Thursday and Friday and will be handing out free flags to those jumping on board until they run out.
As well as the town council, community organisations are preparing for one of the biggest royal events in years.
Jerry Way, president of the Rotary Club of Weymouth, said: "Following the hugely successful Fayre in the Square from Weymouth Rotary and Friends last weekend, Weymouth is preparing itself to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee over this extended weekend.
"Street parties, village festivals and many other festivities are sure to make this a memorable weekend for Weymouth residents and visitors to our wonderful town.
"So hang out your bunting, bake lots of cakes, decorate your streets and have a fun-filled party to celebrate this fantastic occasion."
The Queen's previous visit to Weymouth was in 2009 when she came to the resort with Prince Philip in 2009. Her Majesty was able to experience the highlights that King George III may have sampled when he put Weymouth on the map as a resort in 1789.
Dorchester Mayor Janet Hewitt said that there will be a number of big events being held in the town for people to go to across the four day jubilee weekend to celebrate.
In Dorchester, jubilee celebrations will be taking place at the Borough Gardens today and Saturday as well as a celebration picnic on the Great Field in Poundbury on Sunday. Brewery Square will also be hosting a Jubilee Party on Saturday and Sunday.
Cllr Hewitt said: "What a fantastic achievement for a monarch to serve for 70 years. She has been a wonderful queen to the whole country and to the C
ommonwealth.
"We are looking forward to celebrating this great achievement in Dorchester and we have a massive programme of events starting today which will go on right the way through to the end of the weekend."
On Portland, a host of public events are taking place to celebrate the special anniversary, including a concert at 7.30pm at All Saints Church and fireworks at the Cove House Inn pub at 9.30pm on Friday night.
The new Mayor of Portland, Pete Roper, said: "There are an awful lot of events happening all over the island, it's really good to see.
"I have seen so many individuals and organisations on the island organising their own celebrations and parties and I think the fact that it's taking place over four days means that most residents will be celebrating in some way."
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