Arts Council England and UK Community Foundations have announced more than £92,000 worth of funding for voluntary and community organisations in Dorset which can be put towards jubilee events in June.

Grants have been awarded to 15 organisations in Dorset, including Coda Music Trust (£7,700), Purbeck Art Weeks Festival (£1,895), Vita Nova (£10,000) and AsOne theatre company (£6,925).

These organisations will be using the Arts Council Funding to host special Jubilee events for Dorset's residents.

To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s historic Platinum Jubilee, Vita Nova is hosting a royal parade and community fayre in the heart of Boscombe, at the recently regenerated Churchill Gardens on Saturday, June 18.

The celebration will bring together Bournemouth and Boscombe’s thriving communities, with a colourful programme of family-friendly performances throughout the day, including dance and theatre, and an evening fire show and digital projections at sundown.

The event will begin with a royal procession from Boscombe Pier to Churchill Gardens at 12:30pm, with music and local performers as Queens of the past, present, and future.

Artistic director of Vita Nova Dr Sharon Coyne, said: “Vita Nova is based in the heart of Boscombe and is an arts charity for addiction recovery.

“We are over the moon to have an Arts Council of England grant to host a community event in Churchill Gardens.

“After a grey period, due to the pandemic, it is a wonderful opportunity to have a celebration. We hope as many people as possible will join us.”

A launch event will be held on Monday, April 25 at 6pm for those who would like to participate, share ideas, or find out more.

AsOne theatre company will also be hosting a jubilee project with Broadmayne First School children and elderly Agincare home residents, to prepare memory boxes including stories, drawings, songs, photos, and letters about the Queen and her reign.

They will then meet up and share their memories and sing songs. There will also be a celebratory Platinum Jubilee Tea Party at Broadmayne First School with an invite for the elderly residents.

Artistic director at AsOne, Jane McKell, said: “We are thrilled to have secured funding, but importantly blessed to have such a creative, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic team delivering this rewarding project celebrating our Queen’s 70 years on the throne. We hope all participating will reciprocally gain and smile a great deal.”