HRH the Queen on Church Street, Blackburn
Published Wednesday 16 April 2014 at 14:15
Her Majesty, The Queen, will be coming to Blackburn on Thursday, 17th April 2014, to hand out Maundy Money at Blackburn Cathedral.
Every year the Monarch visits a UK cathedral or abbey to give out Maundy coins to people aged 70 or over in recognition of their service to their community and church. Buckingham Palace have invited 88 men & 88 women from the Diocese (in line with The Queen’s age) to receive the special coins.
This year’s visit will be the first time The Queen has visited Blackburn Cathedral. She will be accompanied by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh. Keep up to date with what’s happening at Blackburn Cathedral by visiting their web site www.blackburncathedral.com.
The Queen & Duke of Edinburgh will be arriving by train at Blackburn Rail Station at 10.45am. They will travel slowly by car along Railway Road & up Church Street to the Cathedral. The private Maundy Service will begin at 11am. A map of the route is available to download here.
We are anticipating all routes into the town centre to be very busy. If you are making the journey into Blackburn to see the Royal party please allow plenty of time for your journey as it might take longer than normal. If you would prefer to leave your car at home & use public transport please contact our lovely staff at Blackburn Visitor Centre who will help plan your journey 01254 688040.
Blackburn Visitor Centre are selling Union Jack hand waving flags – prices from 65p.
You can download a copy of the commemorative Blackburn brochure or collect a copy from Blackburn Visitor Centre.
Special events:
A jazz band will be entertaining the crowds from 10am until 1pm in Blackburn Market, outside on Church Street & Fleming Square & also in The Coffee Exchange Cafe, Fleming Square.
Blackburn Museum will be displaying their collection of Maundy Money. The exhibition will include some examples given out by our current Queen & some given by Queen Victoria, The oldest coin is a 1p, it’s tiny but has the Lord’s prayer written on the back. It’s an amazing piece but very hard to read! The display will be open from Wednesday 16th April until Saturday 19th April from 12pm until 4.45pm. It will also explain the tradition behind the giving of Maundy Money (please note – Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery will be closed on Good Friday 18th April).
For the Children there will be a fairground on King William Street, in front of the Town Hall. There will be merry-go-rounds, inflatable slide & trampolines. Rides cost £1.50 each & will be there from 10th April to 26th April.
Blackburn Library have been rummaging in their archives & have found lots of old photographs of previous visits by the Queen to Blackburn. They will be on display on the ground floor & on the first floor near the entrance to the Hornby Theatre. You can view a selection of the images here.
If you have any further questions please contact Blackburn Visitor Centre 01254 688040 or emailvisit@blackburn.gov.uk.