Coronation Celebration

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III takes place on Saturday 6 May and with an extra bank holiday gifted to the nation on Monday 8 May, the community has a special long weekend during which to celebrate this happy and historical occasion.

Here are just some of the local events, and some in the wider Horsham District, taking place over the weekend. Do look out for individual notices of street parties in your area too!

Saturday 6 May

St Peters Church Henfield will be live-screening the King’s Coronation in the Church, if you’d like some company as you watch. There will be tea and cake, everyone is welcome.

There’s also a live screening at The Capitol theatre in Horsham on Saturday 6 May (which will also include a special feature showing the broadcast of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation from 2 June 1953).

Horsham Town Centre will be hosting a special Majestic Market (also on Sunday 7 May) hosted by Coden Events and Food Rocks. It will be offering a fantastic collection of local produce, a great food and drink offer, and a King Charles Spaniel dog competition!

Sunday 7 May

Church Services. The 9.45am Holy Communion service at St Peters Henfield will be using the material recommended for a Coronation celebration with the choir singing the Coronation Anthem ‘Zadok the Priest’. The 11.15am service at St Giles’ Shermanbury and the 4pm Songs of praise at St Peter’s, Woodmancote will also be special celebratory services.

Henfield Parish Council Children and Young People Committee are organising a Coronation Family Fun Day on the Rothery Field, Nep Town Road, in conjunction with the BP Guild and Henfield Scouts.

From 3-5pm there will be free activities for children including a circus skills workshop, traditional sports day races and craft activities with refreshments and drinks available for the children.

In the evening, the BP Guild will take over providing a BBQ (including vegetarian options), bar and live music into the evening with the Henfield beacon being lit at 9pm. Everyone is welcome and as parking is very limited, please respect the neighbours by walking if possible.

In Horsham, the Horsham Street Party springs to life across the town featuring free live music from 12 noon to 9pm, a host of community stalls, a vintage double decker bus bar and live performances throughout the town including roaming ‘Royal Palace’ guards. Highlights will include the Sussex Band of the Royal British Legion who will be performing in Horsham Park from 2-4pm. Children will be able to make their own royal crowns or colourful windmills at Horsham Museum and Art Gallery where coronation crafts and a free children’s trail will be on offer.

The Post House Café will be hosting a Coronation ‘Garden Party’ on both Sunday 7th and Monday 8th May and invite you to celebrate with them. They will be serving traditional English food such as bacon and sausage baps, quiche and salad, Coronation chicken sandwiches, and sausage rolls, etc. Of course it wouldn’t be a garden party without jugs of Pimm’s, bottles of beer, some crisp white wine or just a classic cup of tea!

Monday 8 May

Bank Holiday Monday is all about The Big Help Out, encouraging people to volunteer in their local communities. For those of you with some time to spare, maybe this will be an opportunity to reflect on how you can volunteer with one of our many wonderful local community groups.

Henfield Scouts, with the support of SH2030, will be getting involved in community activities such as wildflower planting, weeding, mulching and litter picking in the local environment, something which they plan to continue doing throughout the Coronation year!

All Weekend

Throughout the weekend keep an eye out for special Coronation themed window displays in shops and businesses up and down the Henfield High Street organised by the Henfield Community Partnership. You can vote for your favourite window.

Relish Café will be preparing Afternoon Teas fit or a King (and Queen consort) to enjoy in the café, at home or at your very own street party! With homemade scones, jam and clotted cream plus cake and delicious sandwiches with a sprinkling of summer fruits. They can also help with the catering if you are hosting a party at home – from home-made quiches, to sausage rolls and cakes to pavlovas, just give them a call.

Sarah Butler