Support available for community events

Residents and organisations in Stafford Borough can get roads closed for free for street parties to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

The Stafford Borough Council move follows the record number of street closures for events to mark the platinum jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II last year.

A spokesman for the council further explained: “And local organisations are also being urged to bid for lottery money to put on activities as part of the national occasion.

“The long bank holiday weekend takes place in May and local people across the borough are being encouraged to join neighbours to celebrate the first coronation of a monarch in 70 years.

“The Government has asked local authorities to highlight the National Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programme where community groups can apply for funding of up to £10,000 for events and activities.”

The Coronation ceremony for His Majesty, King Charles lll, takes place on Saturday, May

6, at Westminster Abbey. Over the weekend there will be initiatives such as the ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ across the country, and a concert at Windsor in the evening, on Sunday, May 7. And there’s the ‘Big Help Out’ community activity on the following day - Bank Holiday Monday.

The Stafford Borough Council spokesman continued: “The council is waiving the usual charge for closing a road during the bank holiday weekend for coronation parties.

“The local authority had between 40 and 50 requests for street closures for the Jubilee celebrations last summer - a huge increase on previous numbers.”

People can find out more information from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/road-closures-forevents - and can check advice on organising a street party from the Government’s website.

For Stafford, celebrations are being planned for Victoria Park with more details to be announced soon on the borough council’s website at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/victoriapark-events.

A spokesman for the borough council said:

“We had such an amazing response from people organising street parties last summer and I hope our community will be gearing up to celebrate together to mark the coronation of our new King.

“It would be lovely if those scenes of last year were recreated across the borough and I’m glad we can again waive the fees for road closures to ensure local people can have a safe party in their street with neighbours.”

Residents across the borough can apply for a road closure by going online to www.staffordbc.gov.uk.