Borough commemorates Diamond Jubilee
The borough of Rugby has marked Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in spectacular style. A day of events on 2 June led up to a parade of service personnel, service veterans, uniformed organisations and community groups, before the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire unveiled a commemorative plaque to a sea of streamers and confetti - all in red, white and blue.
The commemorative plaque, which reads 'Inscribed by the borough of Rugby to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession, the great great granddaughter of Queen Victoria 2nd June 2012', is mounted on the clock tower, erected and inscribed to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.
The ceremony was witnessed by Cllr Kathryn Lawrence, Mayor of Rugby, Reverend Canon Doctor Christopher John Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, and Mark Pawsey MP, Member of Parliament for the Rugby constituency, and an estimated 15,000 people of Rugby and surrounding districts.
After the commomorative unveiling and the National Anthem, the parade led the celebrations on to Caldecott Park, where live bands performed into the evening. A Dragon Rapide aeroplane performed a commemorative fly-past.
The celebrations have continued over the weekend, with around 2,000 people braving the rain to celebrate the Big Lunch in Bilton on 3 June, and a large crowd also enjoying 'children's day' in Caldecott Park on 4 June.
Activities continue in Caldecott Park on 5 June, with live music and activities for older children and young people.
By Matthew Deaves - Rugby Borough Council
Halo Fx in Rugby supplied the superb confetti display for this event
