A MEETING is due to be held in Liskeard tonight (Thursday, February 17) to firm up and schedule events planned and proposed as part of the town’s celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.

At a previous meeting on February 3 those attending were Councillors Simon Cassidy (Mayor), Nick Craker, Jane Pascoe and Christina Whitty, plus Yvette Hayward, RFO and Deputy Town Clerk, Jacqui Orange, Facilities Manager, and Mandy Hancock, Administration Assistant from Liskeard Town Council, together with representatives from organisations: Liskeard Lions; RNA; Liskeard Scouts; Liskeard OCS; the Catholic Church; Methodist Church (representing Churches Together); Wildanet; 3 Bags Full; Liskeard Bowling Club; Liskeard Silver Band; Liskeard WI; Clean Up Culverland Park; Liskeard RBL; Liskeard Traders Association; and Tara Mutton from the Cornish Pudding Co, Susan Shand, Terry Whitty and Lee Hayward.

The four-day Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday is due to run from Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5, and Liskeard Mayor Simon Cassidy said official events in Liskeard were being planned to take place on June 2.

Councillor Nick Craker gave an outline of Liskeard In Bloom and Hillfort School’s plans which had been submitted prior to the meeting. He said any advice received from the Heritage Officer about decorating the grade II listed fountain will be shared with Wildanet at Westbourne House. He also suggested it may be possible to make bulk orders for items such as bunting if they were required by several groups.

It was noted that Liskeard Breathers are releasing a film on June 2 at 11am at the Liskerrett Centre about their Schools Programme, which has supported over 30,000 young people with information about the effects smoking has on the body. It will be followed by a lunch.

The Town Council, meanwhile, is purchasing an Augmented Reality Jubilee Trail, whereby 7 locations will display QR codes which will tell the story of the Queen’s reign. Volunteers for locations to be included were requested and the Museum, Guildhall, Stuart House, the Cornish Pudding Company, Methodist Church, St Martin’s Church, Westbourne House and Platform 3 at Liskeard Railway Station were all suggested. It is also proposed that the town clock will also be lit up purple in honour of the Jubilee.

It was also noted that the Bowls Club have lots of special events planned for their members over the Jubilee period which the Mayor may visit. They added that bunting would be appreciated.

Prior to tonight’s meeting, the Lions Club were due to discuss the possibility of combining the Carnival with the Jubilee celebrations and to confirm with the Silver Band the outcome of their meeting as the band are keen to support them. They Lions also have a catering van and said they would be willing to support other events with this and will try to help any organisation that gets in touch.

Liskeard Silver Band offered to arrange for the Army Cadets bugler to play alongside them at St Martin’s Church The band said they were also happy to support other events in the town, and people should just let them know.

In addition, it was noted that the Museum had a Visitors Book which was signed by the Queen on her visit to the town in the 1950s, and it will be on display along with photographs tracking the route the then young monarch took around town.

Meanwhile, Stuart House and The Old Cornwall Society will have a pop-up exhibition on all the town’s connections with royalty running from Monday, May 30, for a week.

It was also noted that Churches Together are planning a Civic Service (to be run within COVID guidelines) on the evening of Thursday, June 2, at the Methodist Church. In addition, Rev Andy Day will check if the Methodist Church could be made available for any planned street party should the weather be bad.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church will be open on Saturday, June 4, for refreshments.

The Royal British Legion said they wish to support the Jubilee and Carnival and will work with the Lions on this objective. They said they also have some other plans, but added that they may need to re-think the day on which they are to be held. It was suggested that it may be that The Rifles could bring a vehicle to the Jubilee event or Carnival. It was also noted that there are large events this year for the Legion – the Jubilee, Freedom of the Town and the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict, as well as marking Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 25, with a parade and wreath laying.

3 Bags Full are creating decorative panels to display at the Post Office, and garlands to go around trees, as well as sleeves for lamp posts. The possibility of decorating balconies at Westbourne House and the Constitutional Club, as well as flag holders and the light strings in Fore Street, would also be investigated.

Culverland Park Residents are planning a clean-up event on Saturday, June 4, and a street party on Sunday, June 5.

The Traders Association were considering holding a Tea Party in Fore Street and decorating the street with Union Jacks and purple flowers. They explained that the Jubilee official colour is purple, but people can use what they want. Traders will be asked about who is planning on opening over the bank holiday period at their next meeting, and the association said it would also look at the bags of bunting currently in storage.

The Scouts said they had come along to get some inspiration and would talk to the group leaders. The group say they are happy to attend any parades.

Another question mooted was could the Produce Market, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, be held the week before instead? This could perhaps be on the Friday or Saturday and include other businesses from around the town? Mandy Hancock, Administration Assistant from Liskeard Town Council, said she would ask the Liskerrett Centre, which organises the market, about this.

Lin Moore said she would contact her nephew regarding the possibility of a display of his memorabilia from the two World Wars and suggested that Armed Forces Day may be a good opportunity for this.

Another suggestion was the possibility of using the Christmas tree holders on shops to hold the flags, while another was for an art or craft competition. The Cattle Market Makers Project Manager might be able to liaise with 3 Bags Full to take this forward.

Councillor Jane Pascoe said she would speak to the Liskeard Show and Young Farmers Club and John Gliddon also offered to liaise with them to see if they have any plans.

Thursday 2nd June – proposed events

Liskeard Breathers’ 11am, by invitation - Presentation about their Schools Programme and lunch, Liskerrett Centre.

Town Crier 2pm -Proclamation announcing lighting of beacon at 9.45pm, The Parade ?

Churches Together evening Civic Service - Methodist Church

TBC 9.35pm Piper playing Diu Regnare TBC

Liskeard Army Cadets and Liskeard Silver Band (TBC) 9.40pm Bugle call – playing Majesty St Martin’s Church prior to beacon lighting

St Martin’s Church and Liskeard Town Council 9.45pm Lighting of Beacon Church Tower,

St Martin’s Church

TBC 9.45pm Song for the Commonwealth Any location

Funding opportunities for Jubilee events are available from the National Lottery, Arts Council, Cornwall Community Foundation and EE Communities were mentioned which groups can research. Councillor Nick Craker also advised that the Town Council had a small budget and were funding the AR Trail. Cornwall Councillors could also make grants from their Community Chest funds. The Town Council has offered the use of facilities at the Public Hall for groups to hold meetings to co-ordinate their Jubilee celebrations in a COVID-safe way.

Free Publicity: Public events can be publicised for free by letting the Tourist Information Centre know. They will place details on the Visit Liskeard website calendar: https://www.visitliskeard.co.uk/ whats-on/ and also the @LiskeardTIC social media. All for FREE. Just email tourism@liskeard. gov.uk or pop the details to them on Pike Street.

Grants for Groups to check out:

Arts Council - The Let’s Create Jubilee Programme will focus on supporting voluntary and community organisations to develop new creative and cultural activities as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Note, however, that the deadline is Monday, February 28. See https://www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com/grants/arts-council-england-ace-lets-create-jubilee-programme/

National Lottery - The Awards for All programme is now accepting applications that celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. See https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england

Sport England - The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund aims to use sport and physical activity as a means of bringing a community together and tackling inequalities. See https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/queens-platinum-jubilee-activity-fund

Tonight’s meeting will take place at the Public Hall at 7.30pm.