Communities across Devon prepare to celebrate the Coronation

More than 70 communities across Devon will be marking the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen this weekend.

HM Lord-Lieutenant, David Fursdon is encouraging everyone in Devon to celebrate the Coronation, with hundreds of events being planned on Devon’s streets and community spaces, ranging from traditional street parties and lunches to live music events, fun-days, and galas.

Communities up and down Devon have taken advantage of our offer to process minor road closure applications for free, to enable street parties to take place.

From May 6 to May 8 more than 150 roads, minor roads and cul-de-sacs will be closed to traffic in communities such as Avonwick, Broadhempston, Hemyock and Tavistock, to enable local people to celebrate this historic event.

A list of road closures can be found here.

The Coronation takes place on the morning of Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey, and on Sunday May 7 Coronation Big Lunches will bring communities together with a special Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in the evening.

Some of the communities in Devon holding celebratory picnic lunches include Appledore, in Anchor Park; Barnstaple, Rock Park; Exeter Princesshay; Dawlish, The Lawn; Willand; and Kingkerswell.

On 8 May there will be the Big Help Out with plenty of opportunities for people to try volunteering across the county.

Many other community events are also taking place over the weekend, including exhibitions, fairs, live music, street markets and childrens activities.

More information can be found on the Lord Lieutenant of Devon’s official website.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon, said: “The Coronation is a rare event that marks the crowning of our Constitutional Monarch, in this case Charles III. It is also a time of celebration for communities throughout the UK. The service itself will look to the future while being rooted in longstanding tradition and pageantry. We send our loyal greetings and warmest congratulations to His Majesty King Charles and Her Majesty Queen Camilla on this very special weekend.”

Attached is a message sent to the Lord-Lieutenant's office from Buckingham Palace on behalf of the King and Queen which you are welcome to publish.