County Durham lights up to mark Coronation

The King's likeness will adorn both Durham and Bishop Auckland Town Halls while an image of the colours of the Union Jack will illuminate the World Heritage Site, Durham Cathedral.

The lighting spectacles are part of a variety of events being organised by us and other organisations to mark the Coronation, which takes place this Saturday 6 May.

Our Chairman Cllr Joan Nicholson said: "The Coronation is an historic occasion for our nation, and we are excited both for the event itself and for the programme of activities we have to celebrate it here in County Durham.

"Projecting an image of His Majesty onto two of the county's prettiest buildings is a very fitting way to mark the Coronation, as is turning the World Heritage Site Durham Cathedral red, white, and blue.

"Both events promise to be spectacular and will definitely be worth seeing. Of course, people will also be marking the occasion with neighbours at street parties, and we hope everyone enjoys celebrating the Coronation however they are doing it."

The two county council-owned town halls, in each community's Market Place, will have the image projected onto them, courtesy of The Northern Echo. This follows the success of an image of Queen Elizabeth II being projected onto both Durham Town Hall and County Hall for her Platinum Jubilee last year. The image will be visible across the special Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 5 to Monday 8 May.

The Cathedral will be awash with red, white and blue, visible from Friday 5 to Tuesday 9 May.

The light theme continues with dance troupe Spark! bringing its street theatre, a magical live music, movement and lighting spectacular, to Durham's Millennium Place. Spark! will be performing as part of the celebrations on Friday 5 May at 6.30pm and 8.00pm. The performances have been organised by the City of Durham Parish Council, with funding from us.

Communities will also be coming together at street parties and parades to celebrate the Coronation across the bank holiday weekend, with our highways team having processed a number of applications for road closures to facilitate these.

Councillors have been busy supporting local community celebrations through a special coronation grant fund. Over 80 applications have been received so far for a wide range of projects, including organising commemorative medals to be given to schoolchildren.

We have also planted special King's Oak trees to mark the Coronation, at its Hardwick, Wharton and Riverside Parks.

Plans are also in place for Coronation-themed floral displays in Durham City, including at Gilesgate and North Road roundabouts. Red, white and blue bedding plants have also been ordered and will adorn floral displays across the county. 

Schools and nurseries across County Durham will also be marking the Coronation, through events and activities such as tea parties and Union Jack-themed non-uniform days. Durham Youth Council is also hosting an intergenerational street party, at which members will be joined by residents of care homes in the Stanley area, as part of the celebrations.

In a lasting legacy to the new King, people enjoying a walk on County Durham's stunning coastline will as of next week be doing so along a route named for the newly-crowned Monarch. From 10 May, the full length of the England Coast Path will be known as the King Charles III England Coast Path, in celebration of the Coronation.