Warwick is set to join the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations with a community-focused event featuring corgis, cakes and more.

The town, which boasts a raft of Royal links dating back centuries, will mark the monarch's milestone celebration with a fun-packed day of activities on 2 June, 2022.

Festivities include a community event in the Market Square organised by Warwick Town Council and supported by Warwick Chamber of Trade, featuring live music through the decades, as well as classic cars and a steam train.

Food and drink will be provided by local businesses including the Tilted Wig, Jack's Shack, the Rose & Crown, the Fourpenny Shop Hotel & Restaurant and Ronnie's Bar, Totally Thai and Norma Jean Bakery. 

Local businesses Bread & Co., The Deli and Thomas Oken Tearooms will also offer pre-bookable Jubilee picnic boxes across the Jubilee weekend so people can enjoy them at home or at the event on 2 June.

The community-focused celebration will be opened by Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Rich Edgington, and will start with a rendition of the National Anthem by the Warwick Community Band. Warwick's Town Crier will also be in attendance.

There will even be a steam train in Warwick town centre for the June 2 celebrations

Cllr Noel Butler, leader of Warwick Town Council, said: "We're looking forward to bringing the whole of Warwick together for a great community-focused event on 2 June.

"We'll have music, entertainment, food, drink and plenty of family-friendly fun. We'll have picnic tables in the square but everyone's welcome to bring their own chairs and rugs as well as their own picnics, or they can take advantage of some of the great food and drink on offer from our Warwick businesses.

"We look forward to joining the nation in celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in style."

In addition, Warwick schoolchildren are being invited to take part in a Jubilee cake competition organised by Norma Jean Bakery and the town council.

Youngsters across different age categories can team up to create Jubilee-themed cupcakes or cookies that will be judged by the Mayor of Warwick, Norma Jenner of Norma Jean Bakery, sugarcraft tutor and author Colette Laura May, and local food blogger Ellen Manning, author of Eat with Ellen.

The deadline for entries is 4.30pm on Wednesday 25 May at the Tourist Office in the Court House on Jury Street, ready for judging the following day (Thursday 26 May). The winner will be announced at the Jubilee event on 2 June and presented with their prize.

Children across Warwick are encouraged to enter the Jubilee-themed cupcakes or cookies competition

Norma Jenner said: "We are thrilled to be a part of this special event to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in Warwick and are very excited to be involved in judging all the delightful creations that will be submitted by the schoolchildren of Warwick."

Cake competition details and entry forms are available from Warwick Visitor Centre on Jury Street in Warwick or via email from [email protected]

As well as the town council-organised events, Warwick will also play host to a 'Wiggle of Corgis' event organised by local businesswoman Clare Underwood, which will see independent shops and businesses display Corgi stickers in their window, with children and families encouraged to see how many of the Queen's favourite dog they can find. 

Local retailers and businesses will be able to buy activity packs including: window stickers; a storybook illustrated by local artist and published author Diane Maybey; sticker sheets and a poster with QR code so people can download free activity sheets and a PDF of the book.

Activity packs will also be donated to charitable causes in need. Over the Jubilee weekend there will also be the opportunity for children to hear the story read aloud by Diane on June 2 and June 4.

Clare Underwood said: "We wanted to do something a bit different to put Warwick on the map for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. The book telling the story of the Wiggle of Corgis is something that we would love to be part of the schools and hospitals celebrations.

"The sticker trail we've put together relating to it is a counting game and not a competition, just a free fun event. The idea is for families to come into town, count the Corgis and support all our wonderful independent shops and cafes.

"Parents, carers and teachers can also download both the book and activity sheet for free and we're aiming to donate activity packs to Warwick Hospital so children there can also count Corgis and enjoy the Wiggle of Corgis story."

To find out more about the Wiggle of Corgis event, follow this link.