Wimborne’s Platinum Jubilee street party on 5 June saw a brilliant turnout. The town centre was packed with people enjoying their picnics and there was some splendid musical entertainment. There was also a display of arts in Wimborne Minster Church over the weekend.

Residents in Ferndown were treated to a ‘royal’ drop-in organised by the local Arthritis Care Club. Mrs Mary Belcher said: “The party was so well organised, the club is such good fun and I meet so many friends each time. I do look forward to all our outings.”

Ringwood concluded its jubilee celebrations on 5 June with a Party in the Park at Carvers Recreation Ground. A huge crowd gathered to enjoy the entertainment, which included live music, dancing, magic and Punch and Judy shows, circus skills workshops and a miniature steam railway. Junior schools took part in the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Jubilee Challenge Cup. Many dressed up for the occasion, and feasted on their own picnics, or sampled some of the picnic food on offer.

Hundreds of street parties took place in Dorset including several in Bearwood, Bournemouth on 5 June. There was one in High Howe Gardens with a lovely spread hosted by Paul Exton. Not far away, a community lunch was in full swing at St Barnabas Church with live music. The ‘Queen’ put in an appearance and it was rumoured she had brought along some marmalade sandwiches. In Ferndown John Hanrahan helped produce some tempting food for a party in Wollaton Road including the Platinum Jubilee Pudding.

Poole Seafood Festival took place over the Jubilee weekend on Poole Quay. It included a large number of stalls serving street food from around the world including the Caribbean, Thailand, Italy and Spain as well as some British favourites. Cooking demonstrations by top chefs drew the crowds and there was a live music stage with a line-up that included Chris Payn, Sixteen String Jack and Mother Ukers.

The sun shone on the third day of the extended Christchurch Food Festival running over the four-day Jubilee bank holiday weekend. It began on Thursday and continued until 5pm Sunday. Thousands of people gathered on The Quomps to sample a huge array of locally produced artisan food and drink, plus sample the wares of street food traders. There were cookery demonstrations throughout the festival – on Saturday they were courtesy of Sam and Shauna, from Hang Fire and James Golding from The Pig Hotel.

Other entertainment included the ever-popular Sheep Show – a surprisingly amusing highlight of the day – plus live music and a DJ playing toe-tapping tunes.

Residents and visitors to Verwood were treated to a spectacle when the carnival procession took to the streets as part of the jubilee celebrations. Following a route from the Fuzzy Bit to Potterne Park, the procession began with the carnival queen and princesses driven by a steam engine, and was followed by classic cars, fire engines, two marching bands and floats from local school, Guides and community groups. The celebrations continued at Potterne Park and included entertainment from Stannage Stunt Team, Mad4Animals, Circus Avago and Mr Merlin, a funfair and tug-o-war competition.

King George V Playing Field in Ferndown was awash with people getting into the spirit of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Friday 3 June. The party continued until 10pm ending with a spectacular firework display which was praised by many local residents, as was the picnic event with stalls and entertainment.

Celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Colehill got off to a lively start on 2 June with Jamie Jigsaw entertaining children at the Village Hall. There was a Lindy Hop dance display with audience participation. The town crier made a Royal Proclamation at 3pm.

Beacons were lit at 9.45pm throughout the UK and Commonwealth to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on 2 June. The Queen joined Prince William to light the Principal Beacon at Windsor Castle. Around 3,500 more were lit including many local to the area.

Hundreds of people joined the parade from Wimborne Square to the cemetery led by Dorset Youth Marching Band for the lighting of the beacon by the fire service. Dignitaries included the Mayor of Wimborne and local MP MIchael Tomlinson. Wimborne Militia fired a 21-gun salute.

Ferndown beacon drew a huge crowd. Many people gathered at St Mary’s Church for a service followed by the lighting of the beacon, which was carried out by the town’s mayor, Cllr Lawrence Wilson at 9.45pm. Members of Bournemouth Youth marching Band played the new bugle call ‘Majesty’ written specially for the occasion.

Jubilee celebrations in Fordingbridge kicked off with a Picnic in the Park at the Recreation Ground. Hundreds of people gathered in the sunshine to enjoy the entertainment including live music, plus soundtracks from each decade of The Queen’s reign. Krazy Kev delighted the children, and the Fordingbridge Rotary duck race was sold out for the first time. The event went on until 10pm with the beacon lighting at 9.45pm.

From start to finish the Jubilee celebrations and events were well-attended and brought out the strong community spirit in the Dorset View and Viewpoint areas, as well as everywhere else around the country.