Gosport Council offers Jubilee reminders
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL have set out a series of reminders about closures, bin collections and events over the upcoming four day Bank Holiday; with the town preparing to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen between Thursday (June 2) and Sunday (June 5).
Town Hall opening hours
Residents are advised that the Town Hall will close at 5pm today (June 1) and will be shut over the Bank Holiday; reopening at 9am on Monday morning (June 6). In an emergency situation residents should contact 08000 280835 or visit the council website for advice, help, and guidance.
Gosport Jobcentre, Citizens Advice and Gosport Voluntary Action will also be shut from Wednesday evening to Monday morning; with any benefit payments paid today (June 1) if normally paid between the 1st and 5th of the month. This includes Universal Credit, Carers Allowance and PIP.
Bin and Rubbish Collections
The council have confirmed that scheduled bin and rubbish collections will continue despite the Bank Holidays; with residents advised to put their bins out as normal on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Bunting, flags and other Jubilee accessories should be placed into black bags when finished with.
Hampshire County Council have furthermore confirmed that Gosport Recycling Centre (next to Alver Valley Country Park) will remain open although with slightly reduced hours over the Bank Holiday. Residents should however continue to book an appointment by visiting the website link here.
Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting
The council will open their celebrations on Thursday evening with the ceremonial lighting of the Platinum Jubilee Beacon, which will be conducted on top of the Diving Museum in Stokes Bay. It will be lit at 9:45pm and be one of 3,500 across the country to mark the historic occasion; featuring alongside music from Pipe Major Robin Bartholomew and popular Gosport bugler Jamie Crook.
New Gosport Mayor, Councillor Jamie Hutchison, will be in attendance alongside the Lord Lieutenant’s representative, Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis CBE DL; with residents invited to arrive from 8:30am at No. 2 Battery in order to get a good view. Limited parking facilities are available to drivers on the night with the ceremony starting at 9:25pm and ending at approximately 10pm.
Jubilee Street Parties / Lunches
Large community events have been organised in Gosport for the Jubilee, including a series of festivals and free entertainment. One of these has been confirmed as the Stoke Rad Community Jubilee Festival which will be held on Saturday (June 4) between 11am and 3pm; many businesses and shops adopting a theme linked to the Queen’s seventy years at the throne which began on February 6, 1952.
Sunday will see Gosport join in the nationwide ‘Big Lunch’ initiative with Leesland Park hosting a Jubilee Big Lunch Picnic between 1pm and 3pm. Alverstoke Village Green will see a Platinum Jubilee Party between 12pm and 3pm, with a picnic furthermore being held at the Millennium Time-space along The Esplanade running from 12pm-3pm; whilst Thorngate Halls are also hosting an event with music and fun.
Road Closures
Over fifty groups and individuals across Gosport have applied to the council for a street party in their road, with the majority of them being approved and roads closed following careful consideration. This covers all areas of the Borough and signs should have been erected to give advance warning alongside details of any required diversions under criteria announced earlier this year.
However residents are advised to check their routes before travelling and to be considerate of any access problems; such as those for disabled, elderly, and vulnerable people. A full list of road closures in Gosport and across Hampshire can be seen via a compiled list on this website link.
Previewing the events this weekend, council leader Councillor Peter Chegwyn said: “The Platinum Jubilee weekend will be a fantastic opportunity for people to come together and celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service. It’s fantastic to see so many neighbours planning street parties and we know there will be lots of people getting together in homes and gardens across the borough as well as at larger community events.”
He continued his statement by adding: “We look forward to lighting the jubilee beacon on Thursday night to mark the official start of the festivities and in that moment joining together in celebration with many others across the country and around the world.”
For more information about the events being held this weekend and beyond in Gosport, readers are encouraged to visit: WHAT’S GOING ON IN GOSPORT – EVENTS LISTING – Gosport Borough Council.
PICTURED: Graphic created to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee which is marked this weekend.
