A Diamond Celebration in Bexley
7 June 2012
The Broadway, Bexleyheath turned red, white and blue on Monday 4 June when residents and shoppers of all ages came together to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Free entertainment, a charity street party, fun fair rides and the annual civic parade all helped to make the day a great success.
Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, Cllr Teresa O'Neill said; "What a fantastic day! The town centre looked brilliant and the parade was fantastic. Everyone had a smile on their face and the sun came out at just the right time. What a great way to celebrate such an important day."
Following a service at Christchurch, Bexleyheath the parade and dignitaries congregated at the Clock Tower for a special unveiling and a welcome from the Mayor of Bexley, Cllr Alan Downing.
The Clock Tower in the centre of the Broadway is 100 years old this year and, as part of the celebrations, Bexley Historical Society in partnership with the Council unveiled a new plaque and information panel funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
To tie in with both the Diamond Jubilee celebration and the Clock Tower anniversary, the opportunity was taken to officially launch a fundraising campaign for a Diamond Jubilee Sculpture of Her Majesty the Queen to fit into the empty south facing recess in the Clock Tower.
The official patron for the fundraising project, Bexley's representative Deputy Lieutenant, Major David Hewer OBE, TD, DL launched the campaign.
The Clock Tower, which is already home to a sculpture of King George - officially called the Bexleyheath Coronation Memorial Clock Tower - was erected in 1912 to commemorate the King's coronation in that year. It was paid for by public subscription by residents and businesses of Bexleyheath and cost just £435.
The 2012 campaign sculpture fundraising campaign will be managed by the Bexleyheath Business Improvement District Partnership and supported by the Council.
The Clock Tower gathering ended with the national anthem and three cheers for Her Majesty the Queen before the uniformed groups were given permission to 'fall out' and invited to enjoy refreshments and take part in the rest of the fun in the Broadway.
Lifelong Bexleyheath resident Celia said; "I thought the Mayor's speech was very good and as a resident I think the sculpture is a brilliant idea."
One of the youngest members of the civic parade, nine year old Chloe-Louise Muirhead from St John's Ambulance Badgers, Erith said; "It was a lovely day. I liked the Mayor's speech!"
But Bexleyheath was far from the only celebration - across the borough 56 street parties took place over the bank holiday weekend.
The official civic Jubilee celebrations ended with the lighting of the Diamond Jubilee Beacon. Churches Together in Old Bexley, organised the Ceremony that took place in Golden Acre Park, Bexley Village. The lighting of Bexley's beacon contributed to a co-ordinated chain of beacons extending, not only around the British Isles, but also the wider Commonwealth.
For more information on the Diamond Jubilee Sculpture fundraising campaign contact Ian Payne, Bexleyheath Town Centre Manager on 020 8304 0775 or email ian.payne@bexleyheathbid.org
Donations can be made at Nat West Bank by quoting BBP Jubilee Appeal, sort code 51 70 14 account 78333040 or by sending a cheque made out to BBP Jubilee Appeal to c/o Marks & Spencer, 55 Broadway, Bexleyheath, DA6 7JN
