CARLISLE'S Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Bitts park on Sunday drew 5,000 people.
The city hosted two main events as part The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations - a beacon lighting at Carlisle Castle on Thursday, June 2 and a ‘Communities and Hope’ event in Bitts Park on Sunday.
Both attracted large crowds, included an estimated 5,000 people at the Bitts Park event. The free community celebration included a giant screen, a parade by Multicultural Cumbria, family activities and community stalls.
Here are some figures from the Bitts Park bash:
- More than 2,000 free slices of cake were handed out.
- More than 1,000 free custard creams were given out.
- More than 2,500 free cups of tea and coffee were given out.
All from the Corgis and Custard Cream Café from the 40+ volunteers taking part in the event (the catering was organised by the Carlisle Vineyard Church).
More than 700 souvenir brochures were also given out as were 600 free cones of popcorn.
Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr John Mallinson, said: “As I walked around the Bitts Park event, I was delighted to see so many stalls and activities for families.
"It’s no doubt that the event was an astounding success and that it was a proud day for Carlisle.
"Families and friends were able to come together, take part in the Big Jubilee Lunch and celebrate the Jubilee. I’d like to thank all the organisations that made the event possible.”
The theme of the Bitts Park Jubilee celebrations was ‘Communities and Hope’.
Carlisle City Council, alongside Carlisle Vineyard Church and Carlisle HealthCare Social Prescribing team organised the event.
Cllr Stephen Higgs, portfolio holder for Culture, Heritage and Leisure added: “Our Jubilee events have been a great success and put the community at the heart of all the activities.
"It was fantastic to see how many different people and groups from Carlisle joining together to celebrate the Queen’s historic reign.
“The beacon lighting marked the start of the celebrations and an awe-inspiring film showcasing a series of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon lighting sites in Cumbria and South West Scotland has now gone live.
"I’d encourage you’d watch it. It’s a brilliant showcase for Carlisle and the wider region.”
The beacon lighting short film was drawn together by Carlisle City Council’s Discover Carlisle team with the support of partners across the Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland areas.
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