A host of artists and performers from across Somerset will be taking part in a weekend of celebrations to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort on 6 and 7 May.
There will be entertainment to suit all ages with music, arts, crafts and activities plus live screenings of the Coronation and the Coronation Concert.
The free event in Taunton is being organised by Somerset Council in collaboration with Taunton Town Council.
The celebrations will start at 10am on Saturday (6 May) when the Royal procession and the Coronation will be live streamed from Westminster Abbey on a big screen in Castle Green.
The ceremony will be followed by a toast from the Chair of Somerset Council, Cllr Mike Best, and the Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Sue Lees, with everyone invited to join them in singing the National Anthem before an exciting programme of entertainment gets underway.
Throughout the weekend local bands and performers will be showcasing their talents on a community stage in Castle Green under the direction of production manager Kev Stratton; with youth groups and traditional brass bands performing on the bandstand in Vivary Park.
The Council received grant funding from Music for Youth for the King’s Coronation Bandstand Project and is collaborating with the Sound Foundation Somerset and Somerset Music to deliver the musical festival.
Performers throughout the weekend include The Little Soul Club, Taunton Rock Choir, Taunton Concert Band, Taunton Youth Culture and Arts, The SPACE: Grease!, Taunton Scouts and Guides Gang Show, Ukes of Wellington, Not Like The Others, and FILTA. There will also be music from Richard Huish College students and Disney hits sung by Marion.
An evening performance from Somerset Opera, will deliver a proms-style finale to close the first day of celebrations on Saturday, with live streaming of the Coronation Concert from Windsor Castle bringing the event to a close on Sunday evening.
Over the weekend there will be arts and crafts activities from The Museum of Somerset; an arts market from Arts Hub Taunton, Face Painting from AngelArt, and vintage vehicles from the Taunton Historic Vehicle Group.
GoCreate Taunton will host “A Right Royal Art Off” between 12noon – 4pm on Sunday in and around Castle Green. There will also be the opportunity to create your own work of art fit for a King, using your own canvas, with talented local artist Sam Gaden from Aerosol Art.
People are encouraged to bring picnics but there will be refreshments available to buy from local food traders.
Chair of Somerset Council, Cllr Mike Best, said:
“Across Somerset, Coronation celebration events will be an opportunity for our communities to come together and mark this historic moment.
“The plans for Taunton are exciting. The big screen will allow us to connect with momentous events in London, but it’s the contributions from local community groups, from young people and arts groups, which will make this weekend one to remember.
“It’s going to be a fantastic weekend, join in and be a part of history.”
Keep an eye on our The King’s Coronation (somerset.gov.uk) and social media for announcements of the line-up for each day plus more information. Search Taunton Coronation or use the hashtag #TauntonCoronation.
