In May, joyous royal celebrations are set to be taking centre stage across East Devon.
Right now, the towns and villages are gearing up for the jubilations by decorating their streets with flags and colourful bunting and arranging community-led events bringing neighbourhoods together for a good old-fashioned knees-up.
Here’s a round-up of what’s taking place across East Devon…
Sidmouth
Sidmouth has a solid reputation for hosting well-attended and convivial events for royal occasions and this year it should be no different.
A coronation street party, organised by Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, will be staged in Sidmouth town centre on Sunday, May 7, from 4pm to 7pm, and will follow a format similar to its previous street parties.
All of the action will be in Market Square and the surrounding streets, where people can book tables of six at a cost of £36 per table.
Partygoers will be expected to embellish their tables and wear clothes in appropriate red, white and blue colours.
The lively atmosphere will be further enhanced by traditional music from Sidmouth Town Band, along with local duo Vine and Dandy.
The Chamber is advising people to book tables as soon as they can.
A spokesperson said: "Demand is always high, and will be especially so, given the significance of the event: the first coronation that almost all of us will have experienced.
"Sidmouth’s royal street parties have become very popular community events and are believed to be one of the largest such occasions in the country, with more than 900 attendees. No town does a street party better than Sidmouth!”
Tickets are on sale at Sidsoft on Church Street and people are being encouraged to support Sidmouth’s businesses by buying their picnic food locally.
Exmouth
Although Exmouth isn’t hosting a town-wide event for the coronation, its streets and parks will be brightly decorated with colourful bunting, flags and coronation plaques.
To mark the occasion two special projects will see children from local schools getting involved in tree planting to create a tree trail in Phear Park as a legacy.
Young people will also be creating a mosaic bench.
Then, on Monday, May 8, an upbeat coronation special for big band fans has been organised by Exmouth Rotary in aid of the Prince’s Trust and in celebration of King Charles III accession to the throne.
Exmouth Pavilion is the venue of choice where AJ’s Big Band will provide the music and Last Night of the Proms style entertainment.
AJ's Big Band is known for its incredible Glenn Miller music with lead singer Jaqs performing jazz and modern numbers.
The finale will culminate with traditional tunes and song from the Proms, along with more modern classics such as Sweet Caroline.
In keeping with the Royal theme, the walls of the Pavilion will be embellished with colourful bunting and flags, and attendees are encouraged to dress for the occasion, although Union Jack hats and crowns will be available to buy.
Graham Kirby from Exmouth Rotary said: “This special coronation event should be similar to the evening we enjoyed celebrating our late Queen's Jubilee last June which was virtually a full house and enjoyed by many with flag waving for the Proms finale. Everyone left with smiles on their faces, which is always a good sign, and that is why we are repeating the event at this time.”
Budleigh Salterton
To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, Budleigh Information Centre is hosting a special street party in the High Street on Sunday, May 7 from 12.30pm to 5.30pm.
To tie in with the regally themed occasion, people are being prompted to get dressed up in their finery and dress their table in a sea of red, white and blue.
A spokesperson for the event said: “Remember to bring along a hamper with all your goodies, or why not use one of the many takeaways available in Budleigh. Please try and buy locally to help support our wonderful traders.”
To stir everyone into a jubilant mood, a visiting DJ will broadcast music throughout the street and a raffle with several prizes to be won will add further interest.
Exmouth's Town Crier, Roger Bourgein, will also join in with the celebrations.
The event has been arranged by Budleigh Information Centre (BIC) which is self-funding and run by a group of volunteers.
Tickets are available from the BIC, and it costs £36 for a table of six or £6 for a seat on a mixed table.
Prior to the town’s big street party, Seachange in Budleigh Salterton will host a right royal Afternoon Tea Party in its garden in celebration of the King's coronation on Saturday, May 6, from 2pm to 5pm.
There is a fitting red, white and blue dress code for the event, and a raffle, a bar and lively music. Tickets are £12 each and include the afternoon tea.
Topsham
Topsham is celebrating the coronation with an emphasis on individual streets and gardens being used for parties and events.
Some shops and activities in the town will be reduced during the main ceremony itself on the Saturday while local cheerleaders at Love Topsham are encouraging local people to hold special lunches and teas in their streets and public areas such as Topsham Rec, Topsham Quay and outside Matthews Hall on Sunday, May 7 - with the hope that visitors will come to see the celebrations.
On Monday, May 8 - Volunteering Day - Topsham Museum will be hosting a ‘thank you’ to its volunteers at midday, prior to the 2pm opening as usual.
A gazebo on display at the museum will be showing volunteering opportunities with other local groups including Love Topsham, Hospiscare and Topsham Swimming Pool.
Lyme Regis
The local community is invited to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III at an open-air party in Lyme Regis on Sunday, May 7.
The free to enter Big Coronation Party will be held at Lyme Regis Football Club from 3pm until 10.30pm, and includes live music from local bands, activities for children, a bar, and various food options. The event kicks off at 3pm with a children’s disco.
Cllr David Ruffle, chairman of the town council’s Coronation Working Group, said: “As part of the celebration of King Charles’s Coronation, Lyme Regis Town Council is inviting all residents to come and help us celebrate this momentous occasion by attending the Big Coronation Party.
“Good music, good food, good company is assured, all we need is you! And maybe best of all, food is free for all Gateway Card and Uplyme Shoppers Gateway Card holders.”
Prior to the main event on the Sunday, a coronation cream tea will be held in Lyme Regis Baptist Church on Saturday, May 6, from 3pm to 6pm in aid of Cancer Research UK.
The Marine Theatre also has themed events over the weekend, including a screening of the coronation on the morning of Saturday, May 6 with free admission.
Mungo’s Hi Fi will offer an alternative reggae coronation on Saturday evening, and there’s a Kings and Queens’ fancy dress party on the morning of Sunday, May 7.
The fun festivities culminate on Monday, May 8, with a May Fete at Anning Road Playing Field from 1pm to 4pm to celebrate the Big Help Out.
Honiton
Honiton residents are being warmly invited to bring their hampers, picnics, tables, chairs and blankets to commemorate the King’s coronation at Allhallows Playing Fields on Sunday, May 7.
The Coronation Big Lunch event has been led by Honiton Town Council which set up a coronation working group consisting of councillors and members of the public.
The group has managed to secure a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to help pay for the day-long entertainment that begins at 11am and finishes at 10pm.
A jubilant atmosphere will be kept alive all day with music from local bands and a disco, while the children will be entertained in one of the fun-packed activity tents or the bouncy castle, and games will be run by local youth organisations.
Face painting and glitter tattoos will add a dash of colour to the proceedings.
Those not wanting to bring a picnic will enjoy the choice of hot and cold food on sale from vendors in the field.
The next day, The Beehive in Honiton will be hosting a Royal Coronation Celebration from 7.30pm that, incidentally, also marks the 10-year anniversary of the performers - the South Devon Big Band.
This lively 25-piece big band will be pumping out traditional sounds and foot-tapping classics from Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, along with swing, Latin, funk tunes. Tickets are £13.50 each.
Axminster
Everyone in the community of Axminster is welcome to attend the free King’s Coronation Picnic at The Minster Green on Sunday, May 7 from 3pm to 6pm.
The fun event has been organised by the Rotary Club of Axminster and supported by local businesses, and promises to be a convivial outdoor occasion, with a contingency to use the Guildhall in case of inclement weather.
The day’s build-up begins with the classic sounds from the Minster bell ringers marking the special event with pleasant chimes.
Shortly after, the Minster Green becomes the centre of all the action where three hours of fun and entertainment have been lined up including Punch and Judy, a majorettes display, an exciting treasure hunt and plenty of live music to boot.
Those not wanting to bring a picnic can hunker down at the Pippins tea stall where tea, coffee and delicious cake will be served.
Plus, there’s a chance to see mini masterpieces created by local children as their works of art from the painting competition titled ‘King Charles in his Coronation Robes’ will be on display in The Minster over the holiday weekend and then moved to the Tesco community board.
The mayor and town crier, dressed in their full regalia, will be present at the community event, while picnic goers wearing a fancy red, white and blue outfit on the day could be in with a chance of winning a prize.
Sue Watson, from the Rotary Club of Axminster, said: “This is simply a free, fun event for the whole community to enjoy! There will be no fundraising on the day as it is being financially supported by the Rotary, local businesses and personal donations.”
Prior to the weekend’s activities, the pretty market town will be suitably decorated for the occasion in a sea of colourful bunting and banners organised by the local chamber of commerce.
Barrie Hedges from the Axminster Chamber of Commerce said: “Axminster Chamber will be providing coronation street banners and supporting the crafts at the Shed group by funding their production of bunting for the town centre.”
Colyton
Colyton’s royal celebrations begin on Saturday, May 6 with the live streaming of the main event on a big screen in St Andrew’s Parish Church.
Tasty refreshments will be available, and the church will remain open all day.
In the evening, from 6pm to 10pm, a fun Coronation Party in the Park will take place at The Peace Memorial Playing Fields featuring live music from the Mojo Stone Cold Players, plus a bouncy castle, face-painting, a BBQ and a bar will add to the mix of attractions.
Other activities, such as traditional egg and spoon, sack and three-legged races may be on the cards and are yet to be confirmed.
On the Sunday, after a civic service at St Andrew’s Parish Church, a street party in Church Street will commence at 12.30pm and finish at 3pm.
In inclement weather this will be held in the Town Hall instead. Residents are being urged to bring a picnic to share, and a DJ will be providing background music to add to the lively atmosphere of the occasion.
Winners of the coronation shop window competition will be announced, and a coronation exhibition by the schoolchildren of Colyton Primary Academy will be on show all weekend in either Colyton Town Hall or St Andrew’s Parish Church.
As a town with such a rich history of royal connections, Colyton is hosting another regal occasion a couple of weeks later.
On Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, a Festival of the Environment will highlight all the rich habitats of the Parish of Colyton, with demonstrations, talks and refreshments in the Town Hall in honour of the newly crowned ‘Green King’.
Seaton
Kicking off a weekend of royal festivities in Seaton, a free live streaming of the official ceremony will be shown on the big screen at the Gateway Theatre on Saturday, May 6.
On the same day a fun coronation T-shirt decorating activity will be happening in Windsor Gardens – an appropriately named spot for the occasion – which will be delivered by Seaton Primary School PTFA from 10am to 1pm.
On the Sunday, the Gateway Theatre will show a free live screening of the coronation concert at Windsor Castle, while on Monday, May 8, in line with the Big Help Out, a beach clean has been arranged by Surfers against Sewage.
Volunteers are asked to meet at Fisherman’s Gap and timings will be confirmed nearer the date.
The Flower Festival at St Gregory’s Church in Seaton will run throughout the long bank holiday weekend, adding a welcome splash of colour to the happy occasion.
Elsewhere, members and volunteers of Seaton Memory Café will be treated to a tasty fish and chips lunch to celebrate the coronation.
Plus, Seaton Town Council will gift all Seaton resident children with a packet of wildflower seeds to sow to commemorate the event.
Ottery St Mary
On Friday, May 5, West Hill Pre-School will be marking the King’s coronation by hosting a special celebratory picnic for the children and their parents and carers.
Various art and craft activities are set to keep the youngsters occupied during the event and an unveiling of ‘thrones’ in the play park, installed recently by West Hill Parish Council, will be a highlight.
During the long coronation weekend, on Sunday 7 and Monday 8 May, there will be an Open Garden at Metcombe Court near Ottery St Mary, in aid of Hospiscare.
Between 12pm and 5pm on each day, visitors will be encouraged to explore this brightly coloured spring garden on the edge of West Hill and wander through its winding paths.
There’s much to discover in the different areas of the two-acre outdoor space as it’s full of azaleas, rhododendrons, spring bulbs and mature trees. Novel activities include a children's quiz, a raffle, and plenty of tea and cake is on the menu.
Finally, as part of The Big Help Out on Monday, May 8, Ottery Community Volunteers will be arranging a big clean up in the town on that day.
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