Tavistock Town Council are working with Tavistock BID to plan celebrations for the Queen’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee.

A budget of £5,000 has been allocated to support the initiative with equivalent match funding from Tavistock BID and other partners.

Plans for the Jubilee are already well underway in the town. The council is aiming to light a beacon on Whitchurch Down and plant seven semi-mature trees to represent every decade of The Queen’s reign.

However, by working in partnership with Tavistock BID and the town’s chamber of commerce, a range of other community events led by other organisations can be entertained.

Tavistock BID’s objective is simply to create a bank holiday weekend full of entertainment and activities to commemorate the event and encourage the community to come together in celebration.

On June 2, BID is planning a Jubilee Gala Day which would feature a series of interactive experiences and be highlighted by a pageant featuring local schoolchildren.

This pageant would replicate a similar event in London, with children carrying flags they have designed to showcase their hopes for the future.

The procession would pass through the town and the flags would then be positioned in the churchyard.

In Bedford Square, there would be British street party scene with trestle tables in the middle, bunting and a stage hosting vintage bands throughout the day.

In the Guildhall car park there would be a 50s Brighton scene with sand pits, deck chairs, a Punch and Judy show and a rockabilly singer. Duke Street would sport food stalls and vintage cars.

On June 3 and 4, bands and entertainment would be the central feature, whilst a screen in Bedford Square would show televised coverage of the Jubilee events in London.

The concept is to create nostalgia zones throughout the town to encourage footfall from residents and visitors.

Tavistock BID also wish to see those who are isolated or alone for the weekend to be supported, come down and enjoy the sense of community.

The Lions’ Club will also play a key role in helping to deliver events and is currently working on a plan for a Jubilee picnic in the park in the Meadows on June 5.

Janna Sanders, manager of Tavistock BID, said: ‘If we achieve funding it will be an amazing day for Tavistock, if we don’t, all certainly will not be lost but we’ll just have to re-think our strategy. We’re asking for financial assistance to ensure the event is delivered for us. In the coming weeks we’ll have a much clearer picture of what we can achieve.’

Whilst the town council’s contribution is overwhelmingly financial, Cllrs Ellis, Smith and Southall have expressed concern over necessary staffing required for the events planned.

Cllr Smith said pressures should not be exerted on council staff, as the workforce was currently quite stretched.

General Manager Wayne Southall stated that staff resources were key.

He said: ‘We’re nowhere near business as usual. Staff are currently doing multiple jobs and roles to stay afloat and will be for another 3-4 months then they can go back to hopefully doing the day job again. We have to ensure that the town council doesn’t get roped into heavy lifting as they don’t currently have the capacity to.’