Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Communities across South Tyneside are celebrating in style as Her Majesty The Queen marks her Platinum Jubilee.

The Borough is joining communities around the UK and Commonwealth to celebrate The Queen's 70^th year on the throne with a range of events and activities over the extended four-day bank holiday weekend of 2-5 June.

The stunning South Shields Town Hall has been adorned in decorative red, white and blue swags and rosettes while flying ten union flags as well as a special flag on the main flagpole featuring the Platinum Jubilee colours and emblem. The hooks and eyelets being used are the original ones that were fitted on the building's exterior for The Queen's Coronation in 1952.

Jarrow Town Hall is also being decorated with the special Jubilee rosette as well as flying the Jubilee flag.

Many schools, libraries and community organisations across the Borough are holding their own celebrations to mark the historic milestone, from jubilee-themed crafts and reading activities to street parties, fun days, sports tournaments and afternoon teas, to name a few.

A number of the activities and community projects have been supported by the Council's Platinum Jubilee Community Grant - a fund dedicated to supporting local events and projects celebrating the Platinum Jubilee around the Jubilee Bank Holiday.

The grants scheme has seen £34,000 distributed across more than 100 applications from a wide range of clubs, groups, residents' and community associations, schools, 'Friends of' groups and older people's housing and supported living projects.

The Council has also accommodated nearly 40 road closures enabling communities to hold their own street parties and celebrations.

As part of the national celebrations, South Tyneside is also joining towns and cities across the country on Thursday (2 June) in the lighting of more than 1,500 beacons - including special beacon lightings at Littlehaven and the Lawe Top, in South Shields.

Councillor Ruth Berkley, Lead Member for Voluntary Sector, Partnerships and Equalities at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: "The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is such an incredibly special milestone, we felt it was important to support our diverse communities to host celebrations in a way that is meaningful to them. We are delighted to be able to help out so many people.

"I'm sure that the many events taking place right across the Borough will be a fitting tribute to Her Majesty's long reign and remarkable record of public service. They also provide residents with the opportunity to come together and enjoy making memories they can look back on fondly for generations to come.

"We hope our communities have a great time celebrating this historic occasion."

Bliss=Ability in South Shields is one of the many organisations to receive support from the Platinum Jubilee Community Grant.

Sharon Bell, Chief Executive of Bliss=Ability, said: "Thanks to the support from the Council, our staff and local residents were able to come together and take part in arts workshops while learning and enjoying fun creative jubilee-related activities.

"The event was fully inclusive and was a wonderful way for us to get involved in celebrating this very special anniversary."

The Council has also been working with local groups to plant 70 new trees as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative. An avenue of cherry trees was also planted in South Marine Park, South Shields.

For further information about the Queen's Jubilee Celebrations in South Tyneside, including community events and activities, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/queensjubilee

Details of the national celebrations are available at