The bicentennial celebrations of Queen Victoria’s birth which take place next weekend 24th-27th May are coming along well.
The town is looking forward to an official visit from HRH the Duke of Kent, Descendants of Abdul Karim (Queen Victoria’s Munshi) and the Mayor of Coburg, Germany as part of the celebrations (see full programme).
There’ll be a grand procession, esplanade festival, town exhibition – with a specially commissioned model of 600 pieces, a new Victoria Town Trail (see more here) honouring the heritage and Royal connections, a bicentennial bench commissioned by the townspeople, as well as a new town tapestry (more here)
Bumper bunting
Thanks to Karl Love, Isle of Wight councillor for East Cowes and one of the leading lights in the celebrations for sharing this photos of the preparation. This bumper amount of bunting was created by the East Cowes Women’s Institute and represents a mammoth effort of creativity.
Cllr Love says,
“East Cowes is certainly going to look at the business and be the best-dressed to celebrate the Bicentennial events for HM Queen Victoria next weekend.
“Our townspeople are proud of their history and close relationship with the monarch and East Cowes is certainly a town of Royal Footsteps.”
He went on to say,
“When I asked Women’s Institute if they might like to help create some bunting for our town, and I did ask them for a lot, I was stuck for words when I walked in and saw this marvellous effort.
“I certainly need East Cowes to be the best-dressed town on the Island next weekend (24-27th May) and what’s more, we’ve had lots of new street furniture, a coat of paint and new seating placed along the Esplanade.
“There’s a buzz about the town which will carry our people into the future, and as East Cowes rightfully takes its place on the world stage next week that’s down to one thing, its incredible people and community engagement.
“It’s an amazing effort by the East Cowes Women’s Institute and I wonder if they now all require new curtains :-) “
