Merton prepares for right royal weekend (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Merton prepares for right royal weekend

7:00am Friday 1st June 2012 in Freetime By Lauren May, Chief Reporter

Merton prepares for right royal weekend

With the Queen celebrating 60 years on the throne the whole of the UK is gearing up for a weekend of royal festivities - and borough of Merton is no exception.

The weekend will start with a royal themed Mitcham carnival on Saturday, June 2, based on the theme ‘Elizabeth to Elizabeth’ with organisers expecting more than 10,000 visitors.

A parade, led by the mayor of Merton, will set off from Figges Marsh at 12.30pm finishing at Three Kings Piece, Commonside West, in Mitcham at 1pm.

Families will be able to enjoy displays from Knights of the Damned, a jousting stunt team, fun fair, mascot race and music by Fanny and the Electric Band as well as browse dozens of stalls.

On June 3, residents will be encouraged to take part, or host, a street party as part of the Big Lunch, taking place across the country to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and bring communities together.

A total of 62 street party applications were submitted to Merton Council.

Rounding off the celebrations, a beacon will be lit on June 4 at Morden Park from 4 to 10.30pm when more than 4,000 beacons will be lit across the UK and overseas marking the Queen’s 60 year reign.

The event is free and there will be a family funfair and musicians playing on the bandstand.

A new one minute Wallace and Gromit animation, a Jubilee Bunt-a-thon - specially created for the National Trust - will also be screened for the first time from 2pm.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy live music and sign up for Aardman model making workshops and take part in craft activities including decorating crowns and bunting.

The Diamond Jubilee Concert will be screened live from Buckingham Palace from 6.30pm until 10.30pm.

For more information visit merton.gov.uk/mitcham carnival, call 020 8545 4704, or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/wallaceandgromit