Parade In The Park marks 90th birthday of HM The Queen

Dover District Council has announced details of its Parade in the Park event to celebrate the 90th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The free-to-attend event will take place at Kearsney Abbey on Sunday, 12 June from 1 to 4pm.  

As well as marking HM The Queen’s 90th birthday, the event will also celebrate the district’s strong links with the military community. The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, based at Sir John Moore Barracks in Folkestone will be performing two 30 minute sets.

HM The Queen has visited Dover on many occasions, often in connection with the town’s military links. She visited Connaught Barracks in 1975 and again in 1992. Her first visit to Dover as Monarch was in 1958.

Also performing at the event will be the P&O Choir, winners of Gareth Malone’s 2013 BBC TV series, The Choir: Sing While You Work. The Port also has strong historical links with the monarchy. HM The Queen visited the Port of Dover in 2005 as part of celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of its Royal Charter.

Also performing at Parade in the Park will be school children from Guston Sings (Guston Primary School) and Whitfield Glee Club (Whitfield Primary School), including a rendition of Happy Birthday.

Cllr Sue Chandler, Chairman of Dover District Council, said: "We're delighted to be hosting Parade in the Park to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th birthday, and the enduring relationship between the Dover district, the monarchy and the military. We look forward to a real party atmosphere at Kearsney Abbey, so bring your Union flags and be ready to sing along!"

Dover District Council is encouraging people to walk, cycle or use public transport to attend the event. Parking restrictions will be in place on local roads, and a free park-and-ride will operate from the Crabble Athletic Ground with vintage buses, with the kind support of Dover Rugby Club and the Friends of the East Kent Road Car Company.