A Coronation Community Fund has been launched by Northumberland County Council to help communities celebrate and commemorate the historic occasion of King Charles III’s Coronation. 
 

The £50,000 fund will enable non-profit making community and voluntary groups, schools, parish councils and local charities within Northumberland to apply for a one-off small grant to help them with the costs of marking this historic event. 
 

The maximum grant available is £500 and no match funding is required. The county council funded celebratory events must take place from 5 - 8 May inclusive. Friday 5 May has been included to allow school activity to be funded through the Coronation Community Fund. 
 

King Charles III's Coronation will be held on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. Camilla, Queen Consort, will also be crowned at the same time during the historic event, which is the first to take place in nearly 70 years. 
 

To celebrate the Coronation, it has been confirmed that an extra bank holiday will take place on Monday 8th May 2022, two days after the official ceremony. This is in addition to the bank holiday already in place on 1 May, to allow people to come together and celebrate. 
 

On Sunday 7 May a ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ will take place with Community groups, neighbours and residents invited to share food and fun together in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Thousands of events are expected to be held across the country. 
 

On Monday 8 May ‘The Big Help Out’ will encourage the nation to spend time volunteering and joining projects in their area in a day designed to highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. 
 

The council’s Coronation Community Fund will be restricted to community events and activity, for example, street entertainment, including performance fees, hire costs, such as for marquees, PA equipment and for hospitality, excluding alcohol. 
 

Grants will be allocated in monthly rounds until the budget is fully allocated. 
 

Northumberland County Council’s cabinet member for culture, Cllr Jeff Watson, said: “Many of us have very happy memories of the fantastic street parties and events laid on for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, with communities and all generations coming together to celebrate.  
 

“We want to repeat this British pride and spirit for the Coronation and encourage communities to lay on celebratory events to mark this momentous occasion. 
 

“If you are thinking of organising an event and are eligible for the grant, head to our website to submit an application.” 

 

For further information and to apply go to  https://nland.cc/corofund 

Enquiries should be sent to: communitychest@northumberland.gov.uk