Communities across the Stirling area are preparing for a weekend of events marking The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
On Saturday, June 4, there will be Jubilee Fun Time in Fallin Church Hall from 10am-1pm, including various stalls, cream teas, games and a dog show.
In Riverside, meanwhile, Saturday also sees a host of activities are taking place including a free family fun day and market in Waverly Park from noon until 4pm with outdoor games, fun activities with Riverside Naturally, and stalls from local businesses and food vendors.
There will be come and try sessions from Stirling County Rugby Club and Riverside Lawn Bowling Club plus a special visit from the Fire Service. Griff’s Gaff Disco starts up from 4-9pm at Abbey Road market, with a line-up of DJs playing an electric mix of disco and house music plus Abbey Road’s food and drink.
There is also live music during the day at Riverside Lawn Bowling Club from noon until 6pm with local musicians playing live sessions and dancers from multiple genres throughout the day. The club is also the venue for a ticketed ceilidh and disco from 7-11pm with Riverside Ceilidh Band followed by a DJ.
Keep Riverside Beautiful will be out and about from 10am on Sunday, June 5 for a stroll while picking up any stray bits of litter - with tea and cake at the Abbey Road Market to finish the celebrations.
A student-only celebration is taking place at Stirling University on Friday from 3-5pm.
On Saturday, Buchlyvie kicks off its ‘Crazy Olympics’ at the local football field - with activities in the village hall if the weather demands and Buchlyvie Church is also hosting a flower show.
Sunday, June 5 will be a busy day across the rural areas.
Thornhill is holding its Gala and Jubilee celebration from noon on the South Common with Picnic in the Park - bring your own picnic - plus kids fancy dress, a fun run, bouncy castles, a sandpit, pets’ corner, dog agility, tossing the sheaf, tug of war, face painting, fun stalls, Beat the Goalie, slip ‘n’ slide and lots more family fun. Teas will be served in the community hall and the local scarecrow competition will be running in the village.
In Fintry celebrations are taking place from 11am until 4pm. In the Menzies Hall there will be local arts and crafts stalls, a Fintry Flower Show plant stall, Fintry Development Trust, and the local Guild will be serving teas and coffees and home baking.
Strathard Community Trust has organised free festivities in Aberfoyle’s Memorial Hall where there will be food provided (bring your own bottle). More details at https://forms.gle/E17ATFGy3RSD81FT8.
In his first official public duty as Stirling’s new provost, Councillor Douglas Dodds will light a beacon at Stirling Castle tonight (Thursday) marking the start of a weekend full of national events.
Stirling’s beacon will join a planned 2,022 others across the nation and overseas.
Provost Dodds said: “It’s a real honour to take on a role like this in my first public duty as Provost.
“Stirling has a proud tradition of celebrating Her Majesty the Queen and 70 years on the throne is just an astonishing, incredible achievement. The beacon is a great way to symbolise her positivity and longevity as monarch.
“I know there are lots of Stirling residents looking forward to some traditional celebrations, either with their friends and families or with their wider communities.
“No matter how you’re taking part, I hope you have some right Royal celebrations and enjoy the day.”
The beacon lighting will be a private event, with coverage on Stirling Council’s social media channels.
Stirling Council staff have been given an extra day’s annual leave if they wish to join in the celebrations on Friday, June 3.
Some services may be reduced but operational services like waste collection will continue as normal.
•The Stirling Observer wants to hear of your memories and photographs of the monarch visiting Stirling - or of our readers’ own encounters with Her Majesty.
Also, let us know if you are marking the milestone either personally or by organising a local event or party.
Email us at news@stirlingobserver.co.uk
