Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is inviting visitors to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the 1950s, the decade Her Majesty’s reign began.

The museum will be holding 1950s street parties during a week of celebrations in local half term, from 28th May to 5th June 2022, and is opening its new Coronation Park and Recreation Ground, named in honour of The Queen.

Beamish’s 1950s terrace and welfare hall will be decorated for the occasion and visitors can enjoy activities including music, crown-making, football skills, crafts and other Jubilee-themed fun.

Coronation Park, in The 1950s Town, features a 1950s-style play park, miniature golf course, football area and sandpit, and will be officially opened on Friday, 27th May by Mrs Sue Snowdon, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, and Durham Amateur Football Trust. It will be followed by the week of Jubilee Celebrations from 28th May to 5th June.

Helen Barker, Assistant Director Engagement Activity & Collections Access, said: “We’re really looking forward to celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Beamish this half term.

“Our new Coronation Park will be open and we’ll be celebrating the Jubilee in true 1950s style, with street parties, music, dancing and activities for all the family, we hope everyone can join us.

“Huge congratulations to Her Majesty on this special anniversary from everyone at Beamish!”

The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at Beamish include:

  • Join in with a street party at the 1950s terrace.
  • Look the part by making your own crown from 28th May to 3rd June.
  • Enjoy 1950s music and dancing.
  • Test your football skills in the new 1950s football area.
  • Watch footage of The Queen’s Coronation in the 1950s welfare hall.
  • Take part in party games at 1950s Spain’s Field Farm on 28th and 29th May and 2nd to 5th June.
  • See traditional crafts and skills during Industry Day on 28th May in the welfare hall, such as lacemaking, basket weaving, proggy mat making, beekeeping, accordions, harness making, plus a display by Durham Amateur Football Trust.
  • See Cleveland Miniaturists’ Jubilee street party scene on display in the welfare hall committee room on 2nd and 3rd June.
  • On 4th and 5th June, the Women’s Institute will be at the museum with crafts and displays, plus a parade on 5th June.
  • See a display of Royal souvenirs on 4th and 5th June.
  • A TVR Car Rally will also be held on the Events Field on 4th and 5th June.

Amateur football was hugely popular in the 1950s North East and, on Saturday, 28th May, an exhibition football match will be held to commemorate the famous 1954 FA Amateur Cup Final between Bishop Auckland and Crook Town, which originally ran for 330 minutes over three games. The commemorative match between Bishop Auckland St Mary’s and Crook Town Juniors Under 14s will take place on the Events Field, kicking off at 11.30am.

Beamish has been working with Durham Amateur Football Trust to develop the football area in The 1950s Town and tell the story of amateur football in County Durham in the decade.

Coronation Park is part of the Remaking Beamish project and will also include a bowling green and pavilion, based on the one at Billingham Bowling Club, that is due to open later this year. The Remaking Beamish project includes The 1950s Town, 1950s Spain’s Field Farm and expansion of The 1820s Landscape. Thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players, the Remaking Beamish project was awarded £10.9million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2016.

The Jubilee Celebrations are included in admission to Beamish, and are free for Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, as with all daytime events.

Beamish Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Visitors need to book a timeslot for 10am, 11am and 12pm but from 1pm onwards no pre-booking is required. For more information about visiting Beamish, go to www.beamish.org.uk.


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