Witney will celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with a packed schedule of free events including the chance to watch the national coronation celebrations live on a big screen.

His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday May 6, the first of three days of celebrations.

Across West Oxfordshire there have been 12 applications to the council for street closures for street parties.

Families, friends and the community will come together and enjoy a free screening of the Coronation from the morning of Saturday May 6 at the Corn Exchange.

Town Crier Jean Postlethwaite Dixon will make the official Coronation Cry ahead of the screening.

READ ALSO: Oxfordshire author shaken by bomb scare in city centre

In the afternoon, judging will take place for the Best Shop Window competition in the town centre.

From 2 - 4pm there will be a Childrens' Make & Play event in the Gallery Room at the Corn Exchange.

Free activities for children include painting wooden dolls, making crowns, finger puppets and ribbon twirlers.

Kids can also play Pin the Gem on The Crown and there will be a Throne Photo Booth with dressing up, colouring and other activities.

A Coronation Civic Service will be held at 10.45am at St Mary's on Church Green followed by The Big Lunch on The Leys.

The community picnic will be compered by Windrush Radio with fun and refreshments from the Coffee Shed.

Hatwells' Funfair will be in town with rides and food stalls.

Thames Valley Police will be offering bike marking and Witney Vikings will be teaching ball skills.

There will be an adult and kids fancy dress competition and a Throne photo booth with dress-up props.

The free event will feature live music and arts performances from Ducklington Morris Dancers and open mic sessions with a finale from WOAPA Choir singing the National Anthem.

On Sunday afternoon, The Coronation Concert will be shown on a big screen at the Corn Exchange in a free but ticketed event.

Volunteers are already making fabric bunting for the town centre and there will be a display by two members of the public of their extensive collection of Coronation memorabilia in the window of the Town Hall admin offices.

READ ALSO: Bampton's historic shirt race cancelled after 70 years

Schools have been invited to create a commemorative book of their Coronation celebrations.

On Bank Holiday Monday there will be local volunteering opportunities for the nationwide Coronation Big Help Out.

West Oxfordshire District Council said there will be the chance to take part in a variety of local projects that make a positive impact on the community.

Visit https://thebighelpout.org.uk to register.

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail