Our very own Dame Pearlette Louisy will be one of the exclusive guests at celebratory events for the Queen’s Diamond jubilee in the United King! Exciting news, particularly as the Queen celebrates 60 years as Monarch in 2012. A concert at Buckingham Palace featuring Paul McCartney and other top celebrities is the highlight on Monday, June 4 before the four-day extravaganza winds down with a ceremonial parade on Tuesday. There will be a number of royal engagements taking place all over the world in the Diamond Jubilee year and St Lucia is in no way left out of the mix!
With planning off the ground since the latter part of 2011, the finalized calendar of events to commemorate the 60th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth the second in St Lucia, was unveiled to the media by Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy on Wednesday, May 30. The governor general is the representative of the Queen as head of the British Commonwealth.
The extensive program has brought together some six volunteer committees, under the overall chairmanship of the governor general.
The Diamond Jubilee Photographic, Philatelic and Numerism Exhibition display at Government House constituted the opening even of the program. It as opened by Earl and Countess of Wessex on February 21, during their visit to St Lucia as representatives of the Queen, for the observance of the island’s 33rd anniversary of Independence. The exhibition can be viewed by appointment through the office at Government House.
On April 20, the governor general presided over the Diamond Jubilee Tree Planting Project, with the planting of planting of the first tree on the grounds of Government House, with other plantings to follow around the island.
The next calendar event is planned for the Old Beane Field Airstrip, at Vieux Fort on June 4, and will comprise the Lighting of the Diamond Jubilee Beacon, from 6:30pm, followed by a community bonfire. This activity is being coordinated by the Royal St Lucia Cadet Corp, under the joint chairmanship of Messrs Cyril Saltibus and Lawrence James, high-ranking officers of the St Lucia Cadet Corps.
Perhaps the most spectacular event on the calendar is the Diamond Jubilee Charity Banquet and Ball scheduled for June 9 at Government House from 7pm to midnight. Coordinating the event is Eileen Paul, Cyril Saltibus and Paula James. The black tie affair will include a gourmet charity dinner, followed by dancing to the accompaniment of a full orchestra by the Royal St Lucia Police Band. The proceeds from the Ball will go toward the several charities supported by Government House and with which the governor general serves as Patron.
On June 21, the Diamond Jubilee Service of Celebration under the chairmanship of Dr Rosemary Husbands Mathurin takes place at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception from 10am. The event will see the participation of a cross section of the St Lucian society, and will be characterized by various forms of expression in celebration of the ideals of the land the Commonwealth.
Thereafter, the Royal St Lucia Police Band will
take the Diamond Jubilee Community Concerts to various parts of the island. These concerts will be free to the public.
The presentation of Diamond Jubilee Medals will bring the curtains down on the six month long program. A date has not yet been announced, however, it is expected that medals will be awarded from the United Kingdom to those in service groups such as the police, emergency services, prisons and the armed forces, the public service and service clubs and organizations, who have exhibited “commitment, loyalty and faithfulness” to service.
The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II is the celebration throughout the Commonwealth, of her accession to the throne on February, 6 1952, when she succeeded her father King George VI. As head of the Commonwealth, she is
queen of sixteen sovereign states of which 12 were either former British colonies or Dominions, when she commenced her reign.
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