Ryde to host Diamond Jubilee celebration – 2 to 4 June 2012

A major event to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be held in Appley Park, Ryde, later this year.
Events companies Quture and Appley Park Leisure plan to transport visitors back to the 1950s with traditional games, entertainment and the creation of a ‘pop-up’ high street themed around the coronation year of 1953.
 
Organisers aim to mix vintage nostalgia with a modern twist, creating a memorable weekend for all members of the community, around which the Island’s celebrations can be based.
 
Plans for the event are gathering pace after the Isle of Wight Council has selected Quture and Appley Park Leisure to stage the Island’s main Diamond Jubilee event which will take place between 2 and 4 June 2012.
 
Last year, the council appealed for organisations to submit expressions of interest to stage an event at Appley Park. Keen to support an historical national event, while maintaining its commitment to focus its financial resources on core services, the council offered the land at no charge under an arrangement that the successful organisation would cover the cost of staging the event.

A special event
 
The council was impressed by Quture and Appley Park Leisure’s proposal which promised to create a special event which will be free for families and visitors to attend. The organisers plan a range of entertainment including ‘Cool Britannia’ themed parades mixing marching bands, veterans and associations with carnival and local community groups; traditional beach races including egg and spoon, tug of war and sack races; live music as well as a range of refreshments. It will culminate with the lighting of a beacon on the evening of Monday 4 June in line with others across the country.
 
The event will be staged along Ryde seafront between the Waterside swimming pool and Appley Tower, with core events concentrated around Appley Park and Beach.
 
Ryde is easily accessed by public transport and has good links to the mainland which organisers hope will attract visitors from the mainland, benefiting local businesses and helping to promote Ryde as a great day-trip or short-stay destination.
 
Councillor David Williams, chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “We were very excited to read the proposal put forward by Quture and Appley Park Leisure which encapsulated our vision for a family-friendly event reflecting the importance of the occasion. We have met with the organisers and will continue to work with them as they develop their plans for a memorable event in June.”

'Plan to use local suppliers'
 
Organiser, Helen Davenport from Quture, said: “We aim to make the best use of Appley Park’s beautiful location by staging a fun event that the Isle of Wight can be proud of. We plan to use local suppliers and involve as many Island people as possible we plan to create a vibrant family-friendly event.
 
“We will be staging a ‘Cool Britannia’ parade, creating a pop-up 1950s high street involving local businesses, food themed around a 'Taste of Britain' and entertainment from noon until 8pm daily.
 
“We are looking forward to working with the local community to create a spectacular event for the Diamond Jubilee and would love to hear from local businesses that would like to get involved.”
 
More details about the event at Appley can be found at a dedicated website created by the organisers: www.iowdiamondjubilee.co.uk