Celebrations planned as Greenwich becomes Royal Borough

Her Majesty the Queen will officially bestow the status of Royal Borough upon Greenwich on 3 February 2012, as one of the first events to mark the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Greenwich is known globally as the home of the Prime Meridian, Greenwich Mean Time and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its architecture and heritage reflect a long history of Royal connections that date back almost 600 years – with close links to England’s Tudor and Stuart sovereigns – and continue right up to the present day.

The following events have free admission and are open to the public:

Friday 3 February

Greenwich officially declared a Royal Borough, marked by the receipt of the Letters Patent – a document formally confirming the Borough’s Royal status and signed by Her Majesty The Queen.

• Musical fireworks display in General Gordon Square Woolwich, along with roving entertainers and Royal-themed content on the Big Screen
• Location: General Gordon Square, Woolwich, London SE18 6HY
• Time: Roving entertainment from 4.30 to 7pm
• Fireworks at 6.40pm

Saturday 4 February

All-day celebrations at three locations in Eltham Town Centre:

The Eltham Centre Archery Road, SE9:

• entertainment and exhibitions all day including an opportunity to view the Letters Patent
• Location: The Eltham Centre, Archery Road, London SE9 1HA
• Time: 10am to 5pm

Free activities at Eltham Palace

•  Free entry to Eltham Palace for the day
• Activities including workshops for children, a falconry display, roving ‘royal’ entertainers and costumed characters
• Location: Eltham Palace, Court Yard, London SE9 5QE
• Time: 10am to 3pm.

(Note: The medieval Great Hall of the palace where Henry VIII was educated is surrounded by a delightful landscaped garden. It is today attached to Courtauld House, built in the 1930s and one of the finest Art Deco houses in the country. The site is owned by English Heritage)

Tree-planting in Well Hall Pleasaunce

• Official planting of a Black Poplar – presented by Her Majesty The Queen to Greenwich and all other boroughs in London to mark the Diamond Jubilee
• Venue: Well Hall Pleasaunce, Eltham, London SE9 6SZ
• Time: 11am

Evening entertainment at the Tudor Barn in Well Hall Pleasaunce

•  Roving ‘royal’ entertainers and live musicians outside the Tudor Barn
• Venue: Well Hall Pleasaunce, Eltham, London SE9 6SZ
• Time: 5 to 6.30pm 
• Musical fireworks finale at 6pm

Sunday 5 February

All-day celebrations in Maritime Greenwich including:

•  top live music performers (details tba) in a marquee at the Old Royal Naval College
• special Royal Greenwich exhibition in the Discover Greenwich centre including a chance to view the Letters Patent
• walks and talks exploring Greenwich’s Royal history 
• live entertainment in Greenwich Market throughout the day
• roving ‘royal’ entertainers, musicians and costumed characters
• workshops for children
• Royal-themed parade involving schools and community performers
• stunning musical fireworks display as the grand finale to the whole weekend 

Venues for events on Sunday 5 February:

• Discover Greenwich, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens SE10
• Greenwich Market
• Old Royal Naval College
• National Maritime Museum
• Pepys Lawn (in front of Old Royal Naval College)

Times:

• Free entertainment and workshops in Greenwich Market and National Maritime Museum: 10am to 5.30pm
• Parade departs National Maritime Museum at 5.30pm, travels via College Approach, arriving 5.55pm on Pepys Lawn 
• Music stage on Pepys Lawn: 2 to 6pm
• Musical fireworks finale on Pepys Lawn: 6 to 6.15pm

Please note: Road closures will be in place in College Approach and visitors are strongly advised to arrive by public transport.

ENDS

Media information:
Greenwich Council communications

Andrew Stern    020 8921 5043    andrew.stern@greenwich.gov.uk
Michael Diop    020 8921 6262    michael.diop@greenwich.gov.u