Published: Wednesday 25 May 2022
In honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the square outside Kensington Town Hall and Kensington Central Library has officially been named Jubilee Square.
Today, Wednesday 25 May, Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea Council, Cllr Gerard Hargreaves, officially opened ‘Jubilee Square’ to the public, unveiling the new street signage to a crowd of councillors, staff and the local community.
Despite the looming rain clouds, the weather held for the outside event. The courtyard is intended for use by local groups, with some community members already keen to book the area. The opening of the space is part of the Council’s aims to increase access to more shared spaces for local communities to enjoy in the borough.
Cllr Catherine Faulks, Campden ward councillor, said:
“The square is a fantastic outdoor public space in the heart of the borough for local people to enjoy. Honouring our longest serving monarch as we officially name this space seems a perfect celebration as we continue to mark the Platinum Jubilee in Kensington and Chelsea.
"Jubilee Square will be used and enjoyed by many, and I’m pleased to have seen so many residents and local people get on board with our Jubilee celebrations alongside our commitments to creating more shared spaces for local people.”
Invited guests included Lady Elizabeth Arnold, the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, members of the Kensington and Chelsea Over 50s Forum, and the local community.
Tea and cake were served and live music was performed by saxophonist Jermaine Jones. A raffle was also held, with prizes donated from local businesses including cake from Caffe Concerto and a bouquet from Kensington Flower Corner. Proceeds from the raffle went to the Over 50s Forum’s ‘Tea for the Queen’ event taking place over the Jubilee bank holiday, which will see older and isolated members of the community invited to an afternoon luncheon to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
This afternoon, there will be card making and plant potting workshops for children hosted by Kensington Central Library, with participants able to add a message to Queen Elizabeth II using one of our cards or creating a design of their own.
For more information about what’s happening in the borough over Jubilee weekend, you can visit webtest.rbkc.gov.uk/platinum-jubilee.