EXCITING plans of how the town could celebrate the coronation of King Charles III have been unveiled.
Knutsford Town Council hopes to hire a large screen so the community can watch the ceremony together as it is televised lived from Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, next year.
A big family picnic on The Moor is being suggested as a possible location in the town centre.
Royal themed attractions, including a children’s craft stall and balloon modelling could be organised to keep little ones entertained.
Local businesses such as Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe and Real Fruit Creamery may be invited to host stands.
A fun-filled fancy dress competition encouraging people to come in costume as kings throughout the ages is another idea.
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The events committee has already approved a provisional budget of £1,500 for the celebratory event and meets on Monday evening, December 19, to discuss the plans.
Councillors will be considering the possibility of bringing Flowers in Wallwood, which usually runs in July for the RHS Tatton Flower Show, forward to May.
Another idea is to hold a public art competition to design a commemorative installation for the town, with a coronation banquet or ball to raise funds.
Knutsford mayor Cllr Mike Houghton said: “For most people this only happens once in a lifetime.
“I found the proclamation a very touching moment for me.
“This will be a similar dynamic, seeing the town coming together, but in a much more positive, celebratory way.
“We are hoping to do something collectively within the town.
“I look forward to seeing lots of individual street parties too.”
Knutsford has several royal connections.
The town’s name is thought to come from Danish King Canute who supposedly Knutsford Royal May Day has been moved for the first time in its history so it does not clash with the coronation.
The historic pageant, dating back to 1864, will take place on Saturday, May 13 instead.
The event is the only one of its kind and the royal prefix was granted by the Prince and Princess of Wales on a visit to Tatton.
The Coronation comes eight months after the monarch’s accession and death of the Queen.
The King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.
The state occasion is expected to be attended by around 2,000 guests including heads of state and royals from around the world.
Monday, May 8, will be an extra bank holiday for the coronation.
The whole month of May could give businesses a chance to commemorate the occasion.
A town centre trail is being proposed to encourage businesses to mount displays in shop windows.
This would be similar to other trails where children hunt out objects hidden in the exhibits to win a prize.
The town centre manager is approaching Knitted in Knutsford to see if this community group may wish to produce some knitted figures for the shop window displays.
A flyer with a map would be produced for the trail like the ones designed for the Pumpkin Path and Bunny Hop.
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