Churches and Cathedrals across the diocese are preparing special services and events to mark HM The Queen’s 90th birthday over the second weekend of June, 11th and 12th. Events range from major county services for hundreds of invited guests to afternoon tea parties and floral displays.
The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire will be at Ripon Cathedral on Sunday the 12th at 3.30pm for the county’s service of celebration. The Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines will be the preacher, and 1000 invited guests are expected to attend. The Dean of Ripon, Very Revd John Dobson, says, “At Ripon Cathedral we have been working hard with the Lord Lieutenant and his team to prepare for the celebration service. There will be seats reserved for people without tickets who arrive before 3.10pm.”
Wakefield Cathedral is planning a Royal Celebratory service of Evensong, at 5pm on June 12th, which will also combine with the Royal School of Church Music area festival and awards ceremony.The music includes Parry's "I was glad" and Handel's "Zadok the Priest" and a large congregation is expected for the service, which begins at 5pm.
Halifax Minster has planned a service for Sunday 12 June at 3pm for the Borough of Calderdale.
At Dewsbury Minster celebrations include a special Dewsbury Team service at 10.30pm on June 12th followed by the ' Right Royal Faith Lunch' to which all will be welcome.
Elsewhere across the diocese a wide variety of exhibitions and family events as well as services are being planned - here are some examples:
St Paul's, Wibsey, will hold a Family Fun Day on Saturday 11th, from 2pm to 4.30pm, with a lot of games, races, a bouncy castle, a crown competition etc., a lot of food, and a lot of fun! It will be followed with a special service for the queen's birthday on Sunday the 12th at 10.30am.
St Paul's, Manningham celebrates the Queen's birthday on 4 June from 2pm with a traditional tea party, barbeque, stalls & 'Olympic' style races for children.
Pictured here, members of St John's Church, Cleckheaton, hosted a 1950s style party for the local community in honour of HM the Queen's 90th birthday on Sunday the 5th of June. Everybody dressed up in red, white and blue, drank a toast in her honour, enjoyed patriotic entertainment by local singer, Trevor Bowers, and traditional pastimes.
There will be a special Evensong service followed by refreshments in honour of the Queen at St Luke's Church, Cleckheaton on Sunday the 12th at 4.30 pm and a "Queen's 90th Afternoon Tea" at Turnsteads Community Centre, Cleckheaton, on Tuesday the 21st of June, 2-4pm.
St Stephen's, Steeton is celebrating 90 years of memories in flowers and photographs starting with a preview on 10 June opened by Her Majesty's Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, and continuing over 11 and 12 June.
Holy Trinity, Meanwood celebrate both the Queen's 90th and the Leeds World Triathlon Event on 10-12 June.
St Giles, Bramhope are having a black tie dinner on 11 June and afternoon tea with prosecco on 12 June (2pm), followed by a Celebration Service with flag waving in church. (£17.50 dinner, £7.50 afternoon tea or £22 for both. Tickets from Keith, 07920 139172). Plus a photograph display showing how St Giles has been part of the Bramhope community over the last 90 years, and a couple members of the congregation who have met the Queen will share their stories.
Holy Trinity, Bingley with St Wilfrid's, Gilstead have a display of local history & fancy dress competition on 11 June followed by a Parish Eucharist and choirs, tea dances, sing-along and activities for children on 12 June.
St Mary's Swillington - 11 June: Scouts’ Great Cake Bakeoff 9.30-11.30, Messy Church 3.30-5pm; 12 June: Afternoon Tea, 2-4pm
All Saints, Little Horton, Bradford will have a Garden Party on 11 June 2-4 pm with a band playing and afternoon tea, crafts, bouncy castle, and stalls
St John's, Great Horton - Garden Party on 12 June, 12 -3pm. Bouncy castle, wet sponge throwing, cake and crafts.
Holy Trinity, Hepworth celebrate with portraits of Her Majesty by local school children and a garden party, 1-5pm on 12 June. More here.
St Chad's, Far Headingley, 12 June, 2-6pm, formal afternoon tea in the Parish Centre, informal teas in the gardens, a barbecue and beer tent and children's games and crafts. Tickets for the formal tea can be bought at the parish centre stchadsparishcentre.org or pay on the door
St Andrew's and St Paul's Morley, have ordered the local archives from 90 years ago for people to browse as part of a series of events on 11-12 June including a Celebration Service followed by a barbecue.
Saint Barnabas Church, Alwoodley Leeds, will be holding an Afternoon tea Party on Saturday 11th June from 2.00-4.30pm - come dressed as your favourite king or queen - Games, cake, coffee, crafts, music and fun will take place.