51Âþ»­

Staff and students from 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) are holding picnics and dance performances to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The celebrations are part of the national Jubilee Weekend, marking 70 years since Her Majesty was first coronated, and running from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.

The Queen

In honour of the occasion, the university is taking part in on Sunday 5 June, the UK’s annual celebration for ‘neighbours and community’ by inviting staff, students and members of the public to bring a picnic and celebrate the momentous occasion together on campus.

On the evening of Thursday 2 June, 51Âþ»­’s Trinity House will be lit up as part of the UK's Jubilee Beacons, in which thousands of beacons will be lit by communities, charities and groups nationwide in honour of Her Majesty.

Trinity House, which dates from 1330, is one of several beacons being lit in Leicestershire - a symbol of the long tradition of beacon lighting in the UK that celebrates royal jubilees, weddings, and coronations.

 In addition, the university has taken the opportunity to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ an initiative set up by  which focuses on planting sustainably and enhancing the environment. 51Âþ»­’s tree to honour The Queen can be found near the Riverside.

 Fi Donovan, Head of Partnerships and Engagement at 51Âþ»­, said: “We are really proud to be part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, happening across our city this weekend, involving many staff and students in events in the centre or on campus.

“I was particularly pleased to be able to run a brief competition where students could design a logo for the city celebrations and the Dance for the Queen event.”

 Many more celebrations will be held across the city over the Jubilee Weekend including an opportunity to ‘Dance for The Queen’ at Jubilee Square in the city centre on Wednesday 1 June .

 Seven dance groups have each choreographed a dance routine to a medley of iconic music tracks from the seven decades of the Queen’s reign.

The performance will take place to a backdrop of Royal pictures from the last 70 years - including many of Her Majesty’s hugely popular visits to Leicester.

The occasion also marks ten years ago, since 51Âþ»­ celebrated one of the proudest days in its history welcoming Her Majesty The Queen on the first stop of her Diamond Jubilee Tour  accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.

More information on how to get involved with the events can be found: HERE.