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Are you ready for the Coronation weekend?
Special
events will be held in Windsor for the local community to celebrate the
Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The Coronation itself will be tomorrow (Saturday 6 May), and events marking this historic occasion will be held across the country, including the Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday 7 May, the BBC Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, and the Big Help Out on the Bank Holiday Monday.
While there are no ceremonial events in Windsor
for the Coronation, and the Coronation Concert is for ticket-holders
only, Windsor is still expected to be busy over the weekend.
Below is what you need to know as a local resident. There's also lots more information on our dedicated Coronation webpage.
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Where can I watch the Coronation service?
The Coronation service is scheduled to start at
11am tomorrow and will be televised nationwide. For many people, the
best place to watch coverage of the Coronation will be at home.
We have also arranged big screens for the local
community on part of the Long Walk from 10am for a limited number of
residents to watch this big national moment together. Access to this
community event area is not ticketed but is subject to capacity.
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Celebrate His Majesty’s Coronation at The Big Lunch
On Sunday 7 May,
local residents are invited to bring picnics to enjoy within the
community event area on the Long Walk as part of the Coronation Big
Lunch, from midday until 6pm.
During this time, a small stage will also share
community performances as part of the Windsor Community Coronation
Showcase, an exciting and varied programme of entertainment organised by
the Windsor Platinum Jubilee Event Team.
Starting at midday, the showcase will be opened by
Windsor and Maidenhead’s Town Crier, Chris Brown and acts will include
the debut performance of the new Windsor Schools’ Coronation Song, a
collaboration involving hundreds of Windsor primary and secondary school
pupils and musician James Manwaring, who is Director of Music for the
Windsor Learning Partnership.
For a full programme of acts, please visit our website.
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Where can I watch the BBC Coronation Concert?
The BBC Coronation Concert in the grounds of
Windsor Castle on Sunday evening is for ticket-holders only. All tickets
to the concert have been allocated.
For those not fortunate enough to have secured a
ticket, the best place to watch will be at home with the concert being
broadcast live by the BBC.
You can watch the concert live from home at 8pm on
BBC1. The concert will also be shown at the screen site on the Long
Walk. This site has limited capacity and is primarily for local
residents.
The concert is due to finish around 10pm and
concert-goers will leave Windsor shortly afterwards, so if you stay on
to watch the concert on the screens then please ensure you are prepared
for a late night journey back home and expect the stations and roads in
Windsor to be busy.
Please be prepared for queuing at the railway
stations and upon exiting the car parks. Some additional rail services
will be running from both Windsor stations following the concert –
please check times on the National Rail Enquiries website and plan
accordingly for any onward or connecting journey.
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What you need to know if you plan to attend the commuinty events
Parking and travel advice for local residents
Windsor town centre and the surrounding area will be busy over the Coronation Bank Holiday weekend so expect travel delays.
The Review Ground is unfortunately no longer
available for parking for local residents attending the Coronation
community events on the Long Walk this weekend, due to recent and
forecast wet weather affecting ground conditions. If you live in the
Windsor area, please walk to the event site if you can.
Pedestrian access to the community area is via
Kings Road, opposite the Edinburgh Gardens junction – you will not be
able to access the Long Walk via Park Street or Brook Street.
If you live in other areas of the borough, please use public transport if possible,
ideally the train. If driving, please be aware that Windsor car parking
options are very limited – however, you can park in Maidenhead, which
is free on Sundays, and take the train to Windsor via Slough.
Town centre parking is
limited. A number of car parks in Windsor will be temporarily
unavailable for general public use, or have reduced spaces, in order to
support the BBC Coronation Concert and Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The closest car parks to Maidenhead railway station are Vicus Way and Stafferton Way multi-storey
car parks. If you’re joining the Big Lunch on the Long Walk on Sunday
and don’t fancy carrying your picnic if walking or taking the train, you
have the option to buy refreshments instead from the food stalls within
the event area on the Long Walk.
For other information on car parks in Windsor, please see our find a car park pages.
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What can I bring with me into the Long Walk community event area?
You can bring folding chairs, picnic blankets and
handheld umbrellas, however gazebos and tents are not allowed on the
Long Walk and as normal, camping is not permitted. Please also remember
to wear suitable footwear and clothing for the weather conditions.
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What facilities are available?
Toilets, catering, and waste facilities will be provided within the event area on both days, including the evening on the Sunday.
There will be no
toilets or refreshments on the Long Walk outside of the event area.
Public toilets in Windsor will be open as usual on both Saturday and
Sunday that weekend, with the Guildhall, River Street and Home Park
toilets open later into the evening on Sunday.
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Are dogs allowed?
Dogs, except assistance dogs, will not be allowed in the event and picnic area for animal welfare, hygiene, and capacity reasons, however they can be walked freely on other areas of the Long Walk
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What security measures are in place?
We are working
with partners such as the police to ensure the event runs as smoothly as
possible and will continue to do so in order to ensure the safety and
security of everyone at Windsor.
Before entering
the community event area on the Long Walk, please be aware there will be
a security search, including a bag search, in order to support event
safety. There will be an increased police presence ahead of, and over,
the weekend
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Car parks and temporary road closures
A number of
car parks in Windsor will be temporarily unavailable for general
public use in order to support the BBC Coronation Concert and Royal
Windsor Horse Show in early May.
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King Edward VII car park will close from 6pm on Friday 5 May, reopening on Wednesday 17 May
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Romney Lock and Home Park car parks will close to general public use from 7pm on Saturday 6 May. Romney Lock and the top end of Home Park will reopen on Wednesday 17 May, with the rest of Home Park (beyond the tennis courts) reopening on Friday 26 May
- In
addition, there will also be reduced spaces in Alexandra Gardens,
Windsor Coach Park and Windsor Dials in early May to support the concert
event.
The following roads will also be closed on Sunday 7 May:
- Park Street – 6am to 11.59pm
- Brook Street 6am to 11.59pm
- Thames Street, High Street, Sheet Street at its junction with Victoria Street - 9.30pm to 11.59pm.
In addition,
temporary road closures may be required at short notice in in some
additional roads to support large numbers of people leaving the
Coronation concert at Windsor Castle.
For more information, please visit our Coronation event website.
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Borough council election results announced
Thank you to everyone who went to the polls and voted in our Local Elections yesterday.
The
results of our borough elections have been announced, please see the
maps below for a breakdown of your new ward councillors.
The new political make-up of the council is:
- Liberal Democrats – 22 seats
- Conservative – 7 seats
- The Borough First Independents – 7 seats
- Old Windsor Residents’ Association – 2 seats
- West Windsor Residents’ Association – 2 seats
- National Flood Prevention Party – 1 seat
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You can find the full borough election results on our website.
The votes from our parish elections and the
Datchet Neighbourhood Plan referendum are currently being counted. The
results will be available at the above link later this afternoon.
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Discover the history of the Windsor Guildhall
The
Windsor Guildhall has seen many historic events with the most recent
being Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President of the European
Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen announcing the Windsor Framework in
February this year.
The
Grade I listed building was originally the home of Windsor Town Council
and the magistrates’ court from 1688 until 1974. It has also recently
served as a Coroner’s Court and can now be hired for weddings, civil
ceremonies and events.
The
court was the scene of many trials and most notably of Roderick Maclean
who was tried for high treason for attempting to assassinate Queen
Victoria in 1882. He spent the rest of his life in Broadmoor after being
found “guilty, but insane.”
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hangs
directly opposite one of her husband Prince Philip and she visited the
Guildhall on several occasions. Notably she visited as the Princess
Elizabeth the year before ascending to the throne, and more recently to
open the Museum in 2011 and again as part of her 90th birthday
celebrations in 2016, meeting twenty 90-year-old residents.
The Guildhall is packed full of objects with a royal history including two chandeliers George IV commissioned with the third hanging in Windsor Castle’s Queen’s Guard Chamber.
When the room is available, 40-minute tours can be booked on the day at Windsor Museum. Opening times and details are on the Visit Windsor website.
The Guildhall can also be booked for weddings and events, and Advantage Card holders can get a discount.
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Royal element to local couple's wedding day
Happy couple Delia Rossi and Charlie Whittaker booked The Windsor Guildhall 18 months ago as their perfect wedding venue.
They were surprised when His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation was announced for the same day.
However, the IT consultants who have made Windsor their home, said the historic events will make their day even more special.
Mum of eight-month-old Leo, Delia said: “We wanted
a venue which we could see regularly, and know it was where we were
married, and remember our day.
“We knew The King and Queen were married at The
Guildhall and having the Coronation on the same day will make it all
more special for us.”
The couple will catch glimpses of the pomp and
pageantry in London while getting ready for the ceremony and at their
reception in the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel.
We wish you both the happiest of lives together.
For more information about booking The Windsor Guildhall visit our website.
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Our Superintendent registrars are history-makers
Clair Coe made history at Windsor Guildhall by performing two firsts in her role as Superintendent Registrar.
She
was the first registrar to marry an heir to the throne and perform the
first civil partnership in the borough on the first day it was legal,
both in 2005.
His Majesty The King Charles had a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall.
Clair revealed: “I felt honoured really to do such a thing that no one’s ever done before.
“For the registration and law regarding marriage,
it certainly doesn’t matter if you are a prince or a pauper, you have to
go through exactly the same process, legalities beforehand and the
actual same ceremony – that’s what makes you legally married.
“As with most weddings, it was just very, very
happy. People were very happy, very delighted for the couple both inside
and outside the Guildhall.”
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Clair then attended the blessing at St George’s Chapel in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
She was sent a lovely note (pictured) from the newlyweds thanking the entire team for their work on the day.
Clair also performed the Civil Partnership of Sir Elton John and David Furnish.
Clair said: “It was a ceremony I’d never done
before so I did a lot of practice on that one making sure I got the
wording right. But again, that was an absolute privilege to do a
ceremony like that so high profile on the first day it was available to
citizens in the UK.”
| You can listen to more memories from Clair of those momentous occasions on the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum YouTube channel. | |
Bin collections not affected on the Bank Holiday
Bin collections will take place as normal on the Monday 8 May
Bank Holiday. If your bin is due to be collected, please remember to
put your recycling and general rubbish out by 7am on the day and no
earlier than the night before.
Visit our recycling and rubbish webpage for more information about what can go in each bin.
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Upcoming highways measures for Royal Windsor Horse Show
We’re looking forward to this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show, taking place from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 May.
To help ensure the smooth flow of traffic, and
ensure the safety of all road users, please be aware that several
temporary highways measures will be in place. These include:
- No vehicles, except coaches, will be allowed to make a right
turn onto the B470 King Edward VII Avenue from any gateway off the Home
Park (public) between 3pm and 10.30pm each day
- No vehicles will be allowed to make a left turn onto the B470
King Edward VII Avenue from the King Edward VII Avenue Car Park from 3pm
until 10.30pm each day
- Vehicles will not be allowed to drive along the length of the
A308 Albert Road from its junctions with the Long Walk and the entrance
to Shaw Farm Gate for approximately 10 minutes between midday and 3pm on
Friday 12 May.
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Calling all jobseekers! Attend our jobs fair
A jobs fair will take place at Maidenhead Library on Tuesday 16 May from 10.30am to 1pm.
Jobseekers
will have the opportunity to meet local employers and find out about
their current vacancies. There’s no need to book, just turn up on
the day.
Employers who wish to attend the event should contact maidenhead.library@rbwm.gov.uk.
For more information, please visit our employment support webpage.
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Royal Borough Community Coronation events
Here are just some of the upcoming community events in the Royal Borough:
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Coronation weekend art exhibition
(Saturday 6 May from 1.30pm to 7pm, Sunday 7 May from noon to 2pm, and
Monday 8 May from 2pm to 5pm) – St Nicholas Church, Taplow. An art
exhibition titled “All Shall Be Well” featuring over sixty works of art
by more than fifteen local artists. Entry is free. There is also a
special service to celebrate art on Sunday 7 May at 10.45am
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Coronation Sunday community events
(Sunday 7 May) – Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough. To celebrate
Coronation Sunday, Kings Church International (KCI) will be meeting in
groups across the local community. Families and everyone are welcome to
join for music and refreshments. To learn more, visit the KCI website
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Salvation Army Coronation brass band performance
(Sunday 7 May, 10.30am) – Grenfell Park, Maidenhead. Salvation Army
Maidenhead are holding a Coronation “Songs of Praise” event which is
open to all and will be celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III
and giving thanks to God
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Coronation memorabilia exhibition
(Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm until Saturday 13 May) –
Maidenhead Heritage Centre. Items on display include documents and
photographs and souvenirs including two mugs for the coronation that
never happened, that of King Edward VIII in 1937. To bring
everything up to date a 'throne', royal robes and crowns are available
for children to get in the spirit of King Charles III's coronation.
Admission is free
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Maidenhead Choral Society Spring Concert
(Saturday 13 May at 7.30pm) – St Luke’s Church, Maidenhead. A
coronation-themed concert including performances of Hadel’s Zadok the
Priest, Elgar’s Ave Verum and Jenkin’s Gloria. Tickets are £14 at the
door or on the Ticket Source website
If you have
an upcoming not-for-profit community event or activity you’d like to
promote in this newsletter, simply send basic information about your
event to communications@rbwm.gov.uk and it could be shared with more than 21,000 local residents.
You just
need to include a brief description, when and where it takes place, and a
link to a website/social media page/contact where people can find out
more.
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Have your say
We regularly hold consultations and surveys to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.
Participating, sharing ideas, and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is asking for
views on options for a redeveloped or relocated Royal Berkshire
Hospital. Visit the Building Berkshire Together website to learn more.
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Local Travel Updates
The
Aslef union has announced industrial action which will affect local
Great Western Railway (GWR) and South Western Railway (SWR) services on:
- Friday 12 May
- Wednesday 31 May
- Saturday 3 June
There will also be further disruption to services from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 May and on Saturday 13 May and Thursday 1 June due to action short of a strike.
The RMT union has also announced a strike on Saturday 13 May which will impact local rail services.
For more information, please visit the GWR website or the SWR website.
For details of council works on highways, visit our website. For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website.
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