Bedford Borough Council’s Town Centre Jubilee Trail has launched today (Thursday 19 May), kicking off local celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Twelve crowns have been hidden in various windows around the town centre, and the Council is inviting children and their families to explore the town while following the map to find the crowns.

The map can be downloaded from www.bedford.gov.uk/Jubilee, or collected from The Higgins Bedford or Bedford Central Library.

While you’re in town, keep an eye out at Gunns Bakery for their special Jubilee Clanger.

There is also still time to apply for a road closure if you are planning to have a street party for the Jubilee. The Council has waived the usual administration fee, and is asking for applications to be submitted by 22 May 2022. You can find out more on the Council’s dedicated Jubilee webpage: www.bedford.gov.uk/Jubilee

Bedford Central Library will be hosting talks on royal visits to Bedford and royal occasions in Bedford with a local historian, and displaying items with a royal theme from the Heritage Library collection during an open morning.

There are also lots of free craft activities for children to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee during half term across local libraries, as well as ‘Postcards to the Queen’.

Under 12s can pick up blank ‘Postcards to the Queen’ from Bedford Borough Libraries, write or draw a message and pop it into one of the special Jubilee post-boxes in any library from 27 May. The winning postcard from each library will be shared on social media, and the winners will each receive a Love Bedford Voucher to spend in the town centre. Prizes have been donated by BedfordBID.

There is lots happening in the town centre over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.

On Thursday 2 June, Bedford will be joining in the nationwide and international beacon lighting. The Beacon on Castle Mound will be lit on Thursday 2 June at 9.45pm, and this is free to attend.

The Higgins Bedford is hosting a Platinum Jubilee Craft Activity on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 June during their half term activities.

Then on Saturday 4 June, Bedford Borough Council and Made in Bedford will be hosting a Jubilee Makers’ Market in Riverside Square. There will be stalls to wander round, with products lovingly hand crafted and eco-friendly, from natural skin products, personalised designs and more.

BedfordBID are also running a Jubilee Window Dressing Competition, with town centre venues invited to take part. Visitors are invited to visit town, check out the displays and vote for their favourites on BedfordBID’s website. Everyone who votes will be entered into a random prize draw for £50 Love Bedford vouchers.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said “We have launched our Jubilee celebrations in Bedford Borough today, with the Town Centre Jubilee Trail. There is lots happening locally in the run up to and over the four day bank holiday weekend, with lots of opportunities to meet up with friends and family, visit the town centre, take the kids along to a craft activity at your local library or museum, and enjoy the Makers Market.

“Visit www.bedford.gov.uk/Jubilee to get more information on our events and activities.”