King Charles III Coronation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to announce that several celebratory and community events are planned to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen in May 2023.

The programme includes grant-supported community events, a school engagement programme, tea dances, tree planting, traditional craft workshops, and a Coronation exhibition.

Commemorative Birthday Cards
Calling all residents who celebrate their birthday on 6th May! 

To mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen on 6 May 2023, Ards and North Down Borough Council would like to celebrate with each of our residents who were born on 6 May by presenting them with a special commemorative birthday card. To nominate either yourself or a relative or friend, email communications@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk detailing:

  • Recipient name
  • Date of birth
  • Postal address

Closing date 5pm on 14 April 2023.

Coronation Events

Council will host several celebratory and community events to mark the Coronation. The programme includes grant-supported community events, a school engagement programme, tea dances, tree planting, traditional craft workshops, and a Coronation exhibition.

Tea Dances  **NOW FULLY BOOKED**

Coronation Tea Dances Friday 5 May | 2pm to 5pm | Includes light refreshments

To mark the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, join us for Tea Dances in Bangor and Newtownards on Friday 5 May 2023, 2pm to 4pm in Aurora Leisure Centre, Bangor and Queen's Hall, Newtownards.

Everyone welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.

Booking essential as spaces are limited. Please contact Sharon Murphy by Friday 28 April to reserve your place: Email sharon.murphy@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk / Telephone: 0300 013 333 ext 40348

Workshops and craft-based activities

To mark the crowning of the 62nd Monarch King Charles III, the Arts and Heritage service will host a series of workshops and craft-based activities. King Charles is an ambassador of heritage craft preservation and we invite you to celebrate his Coronation with us.

Irish Linen, a Heritage Textile
North Down Museum Thursday 11 May | 7pm | £5 includes refreshments

An illustrated talk on the history of Irish Linen by textile specialist Fiona McKelvie.

Linen occupies a special place in the world of textiles – a strong and long-lasting fabric with some exceptional properties, and all the while delighting the eye with its designs, whether woven or embroidered. As well as exploring the journey from flax flower to table linen you will learn about the design and manufacturing heritage of the industry that once contributed to Belfast being called Linenopolis. In addition, there will be an opportunity to see and discuss some rather special examples of linen and artefacts, many of museum quality.

Crafters at Work
Bangor Castle Walled Garden Saturday 13 May | 12noon-3pm | Free Admission

King Charles is an ambassador of heritage craft preservation, and we invite you to spend the afternoon watching talented crafters at work. Demonstrations include spinning, wood turning, boat building, leather making, ropemaking, and willow weaving. There will be a range of free traditional craft demonstrations throughout the afternoon with musical interludes. Why not bring a picnic, enjoy a coffee from Coffee Cure and experience the beautiful Walled Garden in early summer bloom! The event is outdoors, weather permitting.

History in the Making
North Down Museum | Praeger Gallery Tuesday 25 April - Sunday 30 July | Free Admission

To mark the crowning of the 62nd Monarch, King Charles III, North Down Museum will host an exhibition to honour the first Coronation to be held in Great Britain in 70 years. This momentous occasion provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the museum’s fascinating objects with Royal associations. An array of paintings, photographs and memorabilia from past Coronations and Royal visits to the borough will be on display to evoke a sense of celebration for this extraordinary event.

Coronation Activites at North Down Museum

Come to North Down Museum for a weekend of Coronation fun and be ‘King for a Day’ by creating your own crown with their Coronation Craft Packs! There will also be stained glass windows to colour and some additional activities and dress-up in the museum's family space for children. Why not use some of the available props and get your photo taken with the new King too.

Be sure to check out the museum's Coronation exhibition during your visit.

Activities available from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th May.

North Down Museum Opening Hours:

Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 4pm | Sundays: 12noon - 4pm

Admission is free.

For a full list of arts and heritage events to celebrate the Coronation, visit https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on

More Coronation Information and Events

Official Coronation Website

Having your own event at home to celebrate the Coronation?

Check out the official Coronation website for lots of ideas and resources.

There are printable materials and templates for children's activities, bunting and invitation templates, recipes inspiration for your Coronation Big Lunches and a special Coronation Celebration Playlist on Spotify.

Visit Coronation of His Majesty The King & Her Majesty The Queen Consort for the toolkit.

Eden Project Communities: Coronation Big Lunch Pack

Whether you want to get together with your neighbours over a Big Lunch or connect to other like-minded individuals through our events and networks, Eden Project have the support and resources to help you. 

Coronation Big Lunch

You’ll join millions of others to be part of history this year with the Coronation Big Lunch 2023.

We’ve got everything you need to organise and promote your Big Lunch right here. If this is your first time organising a Big Lunch, or if you'd like a refresher - we've got a guide to help you get started.

For more information see www.edenprojectcommunities.com/coronation-big-lunch-pack

Grant-supported Community Events

Locally constituted community organisations within the Borough were invited to apply for grant assistance from the Council to celebrate the Kings Coronation.

The purpose of the grant scheme was to enable groups to mark the Coronation with a street party or organising volunteering event(s) around the Coronation weekend.

A total of £30,000 was allocated to the grant scheme, with 59 groups being successful in their application. Maximum grant amount £500.

  • 1st Newtownards Somme & Historical Society 
  • Ards Local Voluntary Welfare Group  
  • Ards Rangers Football Club 10  
  • Ballycrochan Presbyterian Church  
  • Ballygowan & District CA  
  • Ballygowan Ulster Scots Association 
  • Ballyhalbert & District Community Association  
  • Ballywalter Community Action Group  
  • Bangor District LOL No 18  
  • Bangor Ex Services Club  
  • Bangor Free Presbyterian Church  
  • Bees Nees Early Years  
  • Bowtown Community Development Group  
  • Bowtown Friendship Community Association  
  • Branch Out Community Group Ltd  
  • Carrowdore & District CA  
  • Comber Chamber of Commerce  
  • Comber District LOL15 13  
  • Comber Regeneration Community Partnership  
  • Conlig Community Regeneration Group  
  • Cottown LOL 1029  
  • Crawfordsburn LOL 1091 
  • Discover Groomsport  
  • Donaghadee Community Development association  
  • Donaghadee Primary PTA  
  • Donaghadee Youth for Christ  
  • Eastend Residents association  
  • First Bangor Presbyterian  
  • Friends of West Winds Primary School  
  • Glen Ward Community Development Association  
  • Greyabbey PS PTA  
  • Harmoni  
  • Helens Bay & Crawfordsburn Residents Association  
  • Holywood Shared Town  
  • Kilcooley Community Forum  
  • Kilcooley Womens Centre  
  • Kirkistown Primary PTFA  
  • Ladybird Childcare Services  
  • Lisbarnett & Lisbane CA ltd  
  • Loughries Men's Shed  
  • Millisle and Ballycopeland Presbyterian  
  • Millisle & District Community Association  
  • Millisle British Legion  
  • Millisle Health & Wellbeing Group  
  • Millisle Regeneration 14  
  • Movilla Abbey Brownies and Guides 
  • Newtownards Melody Flute Band  
  • Newtownards Royal British Legion  
  • Newtownards Salvation Army  
  • Parish of Greyabbey and Kircubbin  
  • Portaferry Sailing Club  
  • Portaferry WI   
  • Portavogie Trinity Free Presbyterian  
  • Portavogie PTA  
  • Seahaven Park homes Residents Association  
  • Somme Memorial Flute Band  
  • St Andrew's Presbyterian Bangor  
  • The Regimental Association of the Ulster Defence Regiment (Bangor Branch) 
  • Towerview Church 
Education Support - Digital Resources packs for schools

North Down Museum has created digital education packs for all pre-schools and primary schools in the Borough focusing on the King’s coronation.

Interspersed with focused tasks, colouring and craft activities, the education packs will allow children to learn about the life of His Majesty  King Charles III, including his charity work and his love of nature. They will also learn about what is involved in a coronation ceremony and what we can expect to see at the coronation.

Children will have the opportunity to speak to elderly relatives about key events they remember over the last 70 years since the last coronation, and they will also be shown photographs of Royal visits to the borough going as far back as the early 1900s.

Contained in the education packs is also an opportunity for children to enter a coronation competition.

Children are being asked to design a ‘Good Luck’ card for King Charles to wish him well on his reign. The Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council will select the final winning designs – one winner from each stage: Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Winners will have their cards professionally printed and will meet the Mayor; they will then post their cards to the King. The winners will also receive a £25 book token and their class will receive a £150 book token!

A Right Royal Afternoon Tea, 6 May - Experience AND 2023 (Ticketed Experience)

The Walled Garden, Helen's Bay, 47 Craigdarragh Road, Helen's Bay, County Down, BT19 1UB

  • 6 May 2023 
  • 2pm-4.30pm
  • £45 per person

Let your regal side shine with your closest friends and family in the Walled Garden to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III.

While you can't have afternoon tea inside Buckingham Palace, you can enjoy this traditional English pastime with a royal twist in the heritage setting of The Walled Garden, Helen's Bay.

On arrival you will be welcomed with a Coronation cocktail. After a guided tour of the garden, you will enjoy a lavish selection of dainty sandwiches, irresistible miniature cakes, traybakes and scones, all served in pretty vintage china, on linen tablecloths bedecked with bunting and flowers for that added touch of nostalgia. This will be an afternoon to remember.

Full details and booking link can be found at A Right Royal Afternoon Tea, 6 May - Experience AND 2023 - Food & Drink in Helen's Bay, Northern Ireland - Ards & North Down (visitardsandnorthdown.com)

Coronation Celebrations at Cockle Row, Groomsport, Sunday 7 May

Join the Coronation Celebrations at Cockle Row, Groomsport
Sunday 7 May | 2pm – 5pm | Free

With games, storytelling from local author Marianne Mc Shane Storyteller, puzzles, and a treasure trail fit for Royalty, it is set to be a lovely day out. 

Discover Groomsport will also have activities at their Big Picnic with music from Bangor Ukes, crab fishing competition, crafts, a fancy dress parade and cake! 

Why not pack a picnic and plan to come along?

Historic Cottages open 1pm – 5pm | Activity 2pm – 5pm