Fireworks, music and film light up Woolwich for Royal celebration

Woolwich will host a spectacular evening display of fireworks, music and film to launch a weekend of celebrations marking the day Greenwich officially receives its new Royal Borough status on Friday February 3 2012.

The declaration of Royal Borough status for Greenwich is one of the first actions to mark Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Year, ands recognises hundreds of years of close association between Greenwich and the Monarchy.

Woolwich's General Gordon Square is the focal point for the celebrations which start at 5.30pm, when roving entertainers will move around the crowds and winter-warming drinks will be served.

New coat of arms

The Woolwich Big Screen will show a specially commissioned short film exploring Greenwich's royal connections and explaining the features of the new Royal Greenwich coat of arms.

At 6.30pm, Councillor Chris Roberts, the Leader of Greenwich Council, will welcome people to the Royal Borough with a short speech ahead of the highlight of the evening, a 10-minute spectacular firework display set to music.

The fireworks display will light up the Woolwich skyline, choreographed to a musical soundtrack including, Rule Britannia, Jupiter (I Vow to Thee My Country), Pomp & Circumstance (which includes Land of Hope and Glory), Nimrod, Jerusalem and The National Anthem.

The event will end at approximately 7pm.

'Key international destination'

Councillor Chris Roberts, the Leader of Greenwich Council said: "2012 is a truly remarkable year for Greenwich.  We are honoured to receive the rare accolade of Royal Borough, marking many hundreds of years of close ties between the borough and the British Monarchy.  

"These celebrations are a great way to showcase all the current and future inward investment, tourist and job opportunities that Royal Greenwich has to offer.

"Tourism brings in £774 million to the local economy, welcomes over 18 million visitors, supports more than 8,000 jobs and has helped make Greenwich the only UK destination listed in Frommer’s top ten global places to visit in 2012.

"Our new Royal Borough status will drive forward our record levels of regeneration and cement our role as a key international destination for businesses and visitors from across the globe."

"February 3 marks the official day we receive our Royal Borough status and I look forward to welcoming people to what promises to be a spectacular display of fireworks set to music.  This will be the first of a series of special events around the borough and I hope as many people as possible can attend and take part, as we all mark this uniquely historic year for Greenwich."