DIAMOND JUBILEE

If you’re in Surrey area for the Diamond Jubilee you don’t want to miss the royal weekend in Surrey for the Jubilee with visits by the Queen on June 4.

The Queen on a visit to East Surrey College in Redhill

The Derby dates back to 1780 and is ranked the greatest flat race in the world. The tickets are sold out for the Queen’s Stand and Grandstand on June 2 but are still available for Tattenham and Lonsdale Enclosures.

Meanwhile, Swingbridge 2, a 30 foot broad beam tug, owned by the Surrey Care Trust is joining the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on June 3.

And across Surrey beacons will be lit on June 4 with the Queen lighting the last one in London at 10.30pm on June 4.

It is only the second time in history that a British monarch has achieved 60 years on the throne – the last being Queen Victoria in 1897.

Celebrations in Godalming include a visit from one of the Queen's sons. Celebrations kick off on Saturday (June 2) from midday to 5pm with the Godalming Round Table's Town Show in The Burys Field with the carnival parade departing Summer's Road in Farncombe at 1pm to arrive at The Burys at 2pm. Sunday follows with a Jubilee Celebration Family Service at St Peter and St Paul Parish Church at 10am with a picnic in the park and bandstand concerts in Phillips Memorial Park from noon to 5pm with songs of praise from the bandstand 530pm to 7pm. Godalming Parish Church welcomes in June 4 with a Jubilee Festival bell ring at 10am with Sports for All at The Burys Field from 10.30am to 4pm. The Earl and Countess of Wessex pay a visit to this event too. Monday also sees the Godalming Jubilee 10k and 5k run starting and finishing at The Pepperpot on the High Street, while at Phillips Memorial Park there’s Jubilee Music in the Park from 530pm to 10.30pm. The Lions Club Torchlit Procession starts at 9.15pm with The Surrey Battalion of the Army Cadet Force leading the parade through Godalming to the Phillips Memorial Park. Finally on Tuesday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm there’s Classics in the Park at Phillips Memorial Park.

Surrey County Show takes place this year on Monday (June 4) and usually attracts up to 40,000 visitors. It features hundreds of top-quality animals from giant beef bulls to bantam hens and is organised by Surrey County Agricultural Society. The Earl and Countess of Wessex will also be visiting. Other features at the Stoke Park event include The Wild West Show – The Devils Horsemen – famous for their film and TV work such as War Horse, the Royal Bodyguard and Merlin; Bold Dog Lings Stunt Bikes, The Diamond Jubilee Pony Club Musical Ride, the 1066 Band of Pipes and Drums plus the Great British Barbeque Challenge when contestants have 45 minutes in which to create a dish from mystery ingredients on a gas BBQ. Tickets are cheaper in advance but the on the gate price is £16 adults, £12 senior citizens, £6 children five to 16, under fives free. Families of 2 adults and 2 children will pay £38.00.

Charity Loveworks.org is organising the Jubilation street party in Reigate’s Priory Park on Sunday (June 3). The event is billed as the biggest street party in town; Loveworks says they will be painted Reigate red, white and blue. Events during the day include a community concert, retro-style sports day, games stalls, a fun fair and live broadcasting of the Thames River Pageant.

Farnham Town Council is celebrating the Diamond Jubilee by organising a Jubilee Picnic in Gostrey Meadow on June 3 from 12pm to 5pm. Organisers are putting on a showcase of local bands covering British music from the past 60 years, with everything from Abba and The Beatles to Take That and Coldplay.

Enjoy a 1950-style celebration with a 15-piece band Perfidia at Denbies Vineyard in Dorking. A sparkling reception with canapés, three course dinner and Denbies award-winning wine is promised by the organisers for Sunday night.

A host of activities are planned in Cranleigh including a Big Lunch at Snoxhall Fields following a civic service at St Nicholas Church on June 3. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own picnic but bar and refreshments will be available in the Pavilion. Informal games are being organised by the Rotary Club of Cranleigh.

The Brockham Harness Club is organising a carriage drive through and around Dorking on Monday. Club members will be meeting at Denbies Vineyard on the A24 just outside Dorking at 11am with the parade leaving at 12 noon lead by Georgina Hunt driving the Royal Logistics Corps Park Drag with her team of black Dutch horses accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey. Entries in two categories have been invited – Sunday Best and Patriotic.

Organisers of celebrations in Haslemere have written to all the embassies of the Commonwealth requesting a flag to fly on the streets along with red, white and blue bunting on Monday. A carnival procession will snake its way through the town to a giant tea party on Lion Green. It will assemble in High Lane at 1pm before setting off at 2pm. A musical programme will run from 12 noon to 9pm featuring music across the decades with the Upbeat Beatles topping the bill.

Across the county borders in Kingston, a vintage 1950s British garden party is being held at Hampton Court Palace, which was associated with monarchs for centuries. Visitors are invited to 'pack the strawberries and scones and pop the fizz' to celebrate the 60-year reign of the Queen. Expect long tables, Union Jacks and bunting in the East Front Gardens and free entertainment throughout the day including a brass band performing classic 1950s hits, Sooty and Sweep show retro village fete games, fancy dress and retro picnic boxes to buy. It’s free entry to the palace gardens throughout the day, while the palace and maze will be open as usual and normal ticket prices apply.

RHS Wisley is holding a Best of British garden party on June 9 and 10. There’s a host of activities from vintage tractor displays to Punch and Judy or perhaps a game of croquet on the manicured lawns. There will be free ballroom dancing lessons, or visitors can sit in a deckchair and listen to a traditional brass band. Vintage afternoon tea will be on offer including scones, cakes, finger sandwiches and pots of tea all served on authentic vintage crockery with staff in 950s costumes.