All over the Borough of Epsom and Ewell for the past days and weeks, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has been celebrated by residents and businesses in Epsom & Ewell. 70 years of rule is a momentous occasion, no Monarch has ever ruled for such a long period of time, and the celebrations on display in the Borough reflected this fact.

After such a busy and energetic period, it’s important to look back and reflect on the revelries of the last days and weeks, and have a look at all the ways that the Borough celebrated the Jubilee. Some things you may have seen, some you may have heard about but missed, and some things you might have never even heard of. Epsom & Ewell Times took great notice of all the efforts from all corners of the Borough, to put on a proud display for our Queen and to entertain all who wished to celebrate. From Murals and Artwork to special musical concerts, there was something for everyone.

With beacon lightings, street parties and a huge fair in Epsom Market Square, there was no shortage of revels and festivities going on across the Borough. We were lucky enough to attend the fair and it was great fun; Sunshine, music and fun surrounded all, as people joined together to celebrate the long reign of our Queen.

Epsom & Ewell Times has collected photographs from across the Borough to showcase a number of the festivities that took place, to shine a light on all the incredible effort put into decorations and parties by local residents.

Family Fun Festival

The Family Fun Festival took place on Wednesday, with Music, games and fun for all the family. Stilt-walkers, Musicians and dancers kept us entertained and happy all day as we celebrated 70 years of our Queen. The Epsom Derby Hall of Fame was also unveiled, with roundels commemorating famous past winners, horses and jockeys are alike.

Epsom Beacon Lighting

Thursday saw the lighting of the Epsom Down’s Beacon. Hundreds of Beacons across the country were lit concurrently.

Woodlands Avenue Street Party

Also taking place on Thursday was a wonderful street party on Woodlands Avenue, at the northern tip of the borough in Worcester Park. A representative for the road told Epsom & Ewell Times: “Huge thank’s to our organisers Liz, Helen and Danielle. We had a Pimm’s stall, tombola stall, and Music (Ben did a great job compèring).  BBQ, Large Jenga, best-dressed competition, plant a sunflower, and a plant sale. We were happy to raise £260 for the Bumblebee Conservation from the plant sale and £172 for Ukraine. A wonderful day had by all. Great community spirit!”

Very special thanks to Tara Lavelle who sent us these lovely photos.

Epsom Jazz Club – Jubilee Concert

Epsom Jazz Club celebrated the Jubilee it’s way.

Tenor sax virtuoso Vasilis Xenopoulos fronted a quartet featuring Nigel Price on guitar, Mikele Montolli on double bass and Laura Klain on drums. Laura had flown in that morning from Italy to join this truly international set. Not to avoid entirely the Jubilee celebrations several numbers played were composed 70 years ago in 1952.

A delighted audience of over 40, sitting comfortably in the cabaret setting of the acoustically perfect Oaks Room at the back of the Conservative Club in Church Street Epsom, were treated to an evening of superb professional jazz musicianship. This new jazz club bringing quality live music to the Borough continues next month on 7th July with a quartet featuring celebrated jazz vocalist Jo Harrop.  See www.epsomjazzclub.com for details and tickets.

Wandgas Club Beacon Lighting

The lighting of the Cuddington RA/Wandgas Club Jubilee Beacon was a grand event, of all the beacon lightings, this one may have taken the cake. With an impromptu fireworks show to go along with the lighting.

We were lucky enough (not to mention thankful) to have photos provided by Richard Johnson, who also had this to say via Facebook…

“Yesterday evening, at 9:45 pm, numerous Jubilee beacons were lit across the Commonwealth. I went along to see the lighting of our local (KT4 postcode area) beacon at Wandgas Sports & Social Club. At 9:45 pm, Cuddington RA’s Cllr. Phil Neale stepped forward as official firestarter, setting in motion Cuddington’s salute to Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There was also the unexpected, simultaneous bonus of fireworks.”

Station Avenue Bunting

Now, from west Ewell, in the centre of the Borough, the dedicated residents of Station Avenue sent us photos of the bunting they put up on their road. Special thanks to Abigail Kuti for sending us the photos.

READ MORE: GALLERY: Inside the Epsom Jubilee Family Festival!

Today, Epsom held the Epsom Jubilee Family Festival, hours of fun for all the family. The festival included market stalls, face-painting, stilt-walkers, dancing and much more. Crowds packed in and out of the town centre all day to grab a piece of the fun, and Epsom & Ewell Times were there to photograph all the action!*

* Special thanks to TWM Solicitors and The Cairds Estate Agents Epsom for allowing our photographer access to their buildings to take photos from high up.

It is looking increasingly likely that the Queen will not attend the Epsom Derby on June 4th, The Sunday Times reports.

The Sunday Times is reporting that the Queen will miss the Epsom Derby due to ongoing episodic mobility problems. The long-reigning monarch, who is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, has already missed many important events, including the opening of Parliament. The Queen is currently resting at Balmoral in the run-up to the Jubilee.

The Sunday Times has said that it is “increasingly unlikely” that the Queen will make an appearance. Her Majesty will instead be represented by her daughter, the Princess Royal.

Hopes were high for the Queen’s appearance at the Derby and higher still that Her Majesty would have a runner, but her colt Reach for The Moon was unable to race.

The Queen is still expected to greet adoring crowds from the palace balcony at Trooping the Colour, as well as the grand finale to the Jubilee, the Pageant Parade.

The absence of the Queen at the Derby is sure to be a source of disappointment for attendees and organisers, although it’s hard to say if they’ll be as disappointed as the Queen herself, as a passionate lover of horses and horse breeding she is famously fond of the racing event.

READ MORE: Platinum Jubilee: 5 things to do in Epsom!

Epsom is gearing up for a big week. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee approaches fast, and with the crowning jewel of the events taking place at Epsom Racecourse, it’s hardly surprising that Epsom is adorned with art, flags and murals commemorating the Queen’s long reign.

Epsom’s railway bridges are being prepared for Her Majesty with murals painted by local artists. The jubilee-themed artworks are meant to celebrate the Queen’s long reign and energise the local people, making sure everyone feels the buzz of the coming celebrations.

Local businesses are feeling the spirit too. When you walk through Epsom Town Centre, Union Jacks and images of the Queen’s likeness are everywhere.

We’ve gone around the town snapping photos of all the amazing decorations that local people and businesses are adorning our town with.

We take our hats off to these businesses and people who have shown their pride in our Queen, and look forward to seeing even more decoration as the Jubilee appraohes ever faster.

Have a photo of some nice Jubilee decorations? Have you decorated your house in a Jubilee theme? Let us know on Twitter @EpsomandET or via email admin@epsomandewelltimes.com

Image: Local Models showcasing a selection of the hats in question. The models included Lisa Connell and Anne McEntee(fifth and sixth from left) who represented Brain Tumour Research.

Some of the UK’s leading milliners have created a one-off collection of hats inspired by the seven decades of The Queen’s reign to be auctioned in aid of Brain Tumour Research, it has been announced today.

The collection of 15, which is entitled “Hats Fit For A Queen” and includes pieces by Royal milliners Stephen Jones OBE and Rachel Trevor-Morgan, is being auctioned online until midnight on Sunday 12^th June.

The hats will be displayed in the Queen’s Stand at Epsom Downs Racecourse for both days of The Cazoo Derby on Friday 3^rd & Saturday 4^th June.

This year’s Derby takes place across the central weekend of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations when Her Majesty The Queen is set to attend Derby Day for the 73^rd time, her first since 2019.

The project forms part of Go Epsom’s wider Jubilee festivities across the Borough of Epsom and Ewell, which celebrate the Queen’s lasting association with hats and their continued importance as a quintessential piece of race day style.

More information about the initiative can be found here which is a new collaboration between Go Epsom, The British Hat Guild, Brain Tumour Research and Epsom Downs Racecourse and will be promoted via the hashtag #HatsFitForAQueen.

Karen Pengelly, Bid Manager for Go Epsom said: “We chose hats as a theme because it ticks every box: hats and style are synonymous with horseracing, Her Majesty is the world’s most famous hat wearer and Epsom is home to the University of Creative Arts and some of the brightest young designers. Hats are fun, stylish, visual and colourful, perfectly matching the excitement and ambience of Epsom over the first weekend in June. In addition to this great initiative, our local schools and charities are busy designing and embellishing their own headpieces and we look forward to seeing all of the hats being proudly shown off over the Jubilee weekend!”

Carol Robertson, National Events Manager of Brain Tumour Research comments: “We are proud and delighted to be involved in this project, and it was wonderful to see Lisa Connell model one of the hats at Epsom a few weeks ago. The British Hat Guild’s generous contribution of these regal hats for the Derby will raise crucial awareness and fund vital research that can improve the lives of those living with brain tumours across the country”.

Speaking on behalf of The British Hat Guild, Edwina Ibbotson said: “It has been a pleasure to have been involved in this wonderful project which has created 15 ‘Hats Fit for a Queen. Each hat has been expertly crafted in celebration of one of the seven decades Her Majesty has been on the throne and it is inspiring to know that the funds raised will support this vital charity. We hope to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause”.

Simon Durrant, General Manager at Epsom Downs Racecourse said: “This year’s Cazoo Derby at Epsom Downs is set to be a spectacular celebration across the Platinum Jubilee weekend, and we cannot wait to welcome Her Majesty and tens of thousands of racegoers back after the last two years. We’re delighted to be working closely with Go Epsom, The British Hat Guild and Brain Tumour Research in what we hope will be a lasting collaboration. We want to play our part by utilising the profile of this year’s event to celebrate the very best in raceday style across The Queen’s reign and raise important funds, and I would urge everyone to donate to the auction if they are able to.”

READ MORE: Platinum Jubilee: Flypast to go over Epsom