Norfolk churches awarded Jubilee funding
Seven churches around the county have been awarded funding by Norfolk County Council to host community events celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. And it’s not too late to apply for funding for your event.
Norfolk County Council has announced the recipients of the first round of its ‘Norfolk Year of Celebrations 2012’ funding and seven churches around the county will take a share of the £15,675 awarded to 90 organisations for events to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on the weekend of Saturday 2nd - Tuesday 5th June.
St Edmunds Church in Taverham has received funding to holding a “Messy Jubilee” event with crafts and songs for children and their parents. It will be followed by a Jubilee Fun Run around the church premises with refreshments and entertainment by two local singing groups.
The Mid Norfolk church are also organising a helium filled balloon competition for the furthest travelled balloon and will plan a tree while dedicating a small garden in the churchyard to mark the celebration.
St Peter Church, Lingwood in South Norfolk have been awarded funding to holding a four day Flower Festival. The theme will be '60 years of the Queen’s reign' with flower arrangements based on notable events from those decades. The festival will include a ‘Big Picnic’ for the community on Sunday 3rd June at 1pm, followed at 2pm by a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen.
Welborne All Saints Church, close to Mattishall in Mid Norfolk are hosting a Hog Roast Lunch for the entire village to help foster community spirit.
All Saints Little Melton Church, on the outskirts of Norwich are organising a Garden Party with free tea and souvenirs for children, together with stalls, tombola, camp building, and games.
Filby & Mautby Church in West Norfolk will host a Diamond Jubilee Dance Party which will include music from the last 60 years, a fancy dress competition for children and a display of Royal memorabilia.
And in Gorleston, the Seventh Day Adventist Church are organising a Street Party and St Andrews Church will host a Fun Afternoon with a bouncy castle, family party, games and crafts and live music.
£14,325 remains for the second round of the County Council fund, from which churches along with other community groups and parish councils are invited to bid for a maximum of £500 (with most awards being in the £100 - £300 range) to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Weekend.
The funding is also available to celebrate other cultural events including:
- The Olympic Torch being run through Norfolk as part of the London 2012 Torch Relay (Wednesday 4th July and Thursday 5th July).
- The Paralympic Torch Festival (Tuesday 28th August and Wednesday 29th August).
- The final weekend of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad (Saturday 8th September and Sunday 9th September).
- The return of the Tour of Britain cycle race (Sunday September 9).
Ian Mackie, Deputy Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “This is going to be a year to remember for the whole country, and Norfolk County Council wants to be able to help friends, family, neighbours and communities in Norfolk to come together to create a fantastic atmosphere in which to enjoy each other's company and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.
“Round two of the Fund is now open and I would encourage communities who have not yet applied for funding to do so before April 27.”