Residents urged to host Coronation parties

By Connor Steel

RESIDENTS in Gosport and Fareham have been encouraged to join together during early May as the nation celebrates the coronation of King Charles III; with both councils confirming that applications are fully open for people to host their own street parties as Britain celebrates another Royal landmark following a tough period.

As confirmed by the Royal Family and Government officials, the Monarch will be crowned in the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6 (Saturday). This date is less than eight months since the tragic passing of Her Majesty the Queen in September and an official UK Bank Holiday has been announced for May 8 (Monday).

Not seen for almost seventy years the coronation will see His Majesty participate in a symbolic and religious ceremony that will formalise him as head of the Church of England, alongside a transfer of titles and powers. Camilla, the Queen’s Consort, will furthermore be crowned to her role during this huge ceremonial occasion.

Buckingham Palace have announced a weekend of events to mark this historical event including a live music concert from Windsor Castle on May 7 (Sunday) and an address to the Commonwealth from King Charles III will likely be broadcast. Big Lunches and the Big Help Out voluntary initiative are planned across the country, with residents urged to help their communities or any charities during certain times on Bank Holiday Monday.

Organisers are hoping to replicate the successes of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last summer and follows a tough twelve months including the national mourning period from September 9 last year. The war in Ukraine, political changes, strikes, the cost of living crisis an inflation rates have only added to the uncertain hardship.

Although both Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils have not yet organised any dedicated events at the time of writing, they have released detailed guidance for residents wanting to hold local street parties in their areas. This includes the application forms for each individual council and these should be returned by March 24 (Friday); allowing emergency services and Highway Teams to formulate their safety plans ahead of time.

The application process must be undertaken for all street parties on public roads and councils should permit closures if meeting certain criteria. Any road closures should not inconvenience other people or create traffic issues elsewhere, alongside rules that any party shouldn’t block access to shops, businesses and services.

Traffic diversions and management plans should further be presented as part of the application stages with major roads unlikely to be closed or permitted for street parties. If the party is held in a short crescent or cul de suc there is no need to fill out this part of the process and residents do not have to consult other people.

Residents are advised that they are responsible for providing / funding items such as signage and barriers; both councils saying they can’t organise them in these circumstances. Other guidance can be read via this online link including insurances, risk assessments and licenses for events that go beyond any private party.

Applications can be emailed to licensingofficers@fareham.gov.uk for submission, but can also be printed and printed to the addresses on each form.  Residents can furthermore send an email with written answers to the questions; proving helpful to those people who don’t have access to software that can allow editing of a PDF.

A full list of road closures and street parties will likely be released nearer the time with local Platinum Jubilee celebrations proving a real success across both regions. One such event in Gosport went viral in June 2022 thanks to a resident’s Tik-Tok video, which was viewed over 535 thousand times and drew 1300 comments.

Readers are encouraged to visit media sites such as BBC News, Sky News and ITV News for all developing updates, whilst the Globe will be publishing related local stories and all event information when it is available.

PICTURED BY ALAMY: Coronation of King Charles III will take place on May 6 with a celebratory weekend due to take place across the country; Gosport and Fareham councils inviting residents to host street parties.