A Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Fund launched by the County Council has seen almost 200 community groups receive funding. 
 

The fund was set up to help communities celebrate Her Majesty, The Queen becoming the first British Monarch to celebrate 70 years of service. 

 
The grants enabled non-profit making community and voluntary groups, schools, parish councils and local charities within Northumberland to apply for a one-off grant to help them with the costs of marking this historic event. 
 
The grants will be used for a wide range of activities, including street entertainment, contributing towards a Jubilee Beacon, hospitality or long-lasting commemorative schemes. 
 
Northumberland County Council’s cabinet member for culture, Cllr Jeff Watson, said: “Thanks to our special £70,000 Jubilee Fund, we’ve issued almost 200 grants to community groups to help them put on events in towns and villages and I’m sure they will be a lot of fun – while also giving us the opportunity to reflect on The Queen’s decades of service. 
 
“The Queen is a remarkable woman who brings a unifying influence on our country. We hope this fund has encouraged communities to come together and lay on a range of great celebratory events to mark this momentous occasion.” 
 

Jubilee Weekend is now fast approaching and will culminate in four days of public celebration on an extended Bank Holiday – Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June. 
 

On June 2 Platinum Jubilee Beacons will be lit in villages, towns and cities across the UK and Commonwealth. In Northumberland beacons will be lit in communities along the length of Hadrian’s Wall with accompanying community celebrations including town criers, civic dignitaries, local musicians, performers, food and drink. 
 

Please visit our website https://www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk and follow #NlandHM70 for all the latest updates on celebrations in Northumberland.