Making Memories and Celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
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Have you noticed that there’s a real buzz in the air, and it’s not the bees collecting pollen and enjoying the Spring weather? It’s the long-awaited anticipation of making memories and celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with loved ones!
On 6th February this year, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. To celebrate this momentous occasion, an extended bank holiday will take place from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June, with many patriotic, exciting events filling the four-day weekend. People throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth, will be brought together to celebrate this historic milestone.
Making memories
The Platinum Jubilee has really grabbed the Nation – and who doesn’t like a reason to celebrate! Whether you intend to mark the occasion at home with friends and family or attend one of the many organized events around the UK, you will be spoilt for choice. The official festivities to celebrate the Queen’s birthday will kick off on Thursday 2nd June, with ‘Trooping the Colour’ which features over 1,200 parading soldiers, around 240 horses and 400 musicians, and will include a RAF fly-past.
Platinum Jubilee Beacons will be lit in places across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, simultaneously with Buckingham Palace. To find out more about the lighting of the beacons and how to take part click HERE.
Finally, there will be The Big Jubilee Lunch, encouraging communities across the UK to celebrate together with food and drinks, and to enjoy the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, which will feature performers, military personnel, key workers, and volunteers telling the story of The Queen’s 70-year reign in a brilliant festival. For more information on the events of the weekend, click the link below HERE.
Time to celebrate
What a fabulous four-day event we have in store, so no doubt we will all be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast! The great British weather is not something we can control but, whatever it brings, you can be sure there will be street parties full of people and pets celebrating this momentous occasion.
Creating a party vibe to bring everyone together, old neighbours and new, is all part of the fun. There are many traditional items such as union jack flags, bunting, streamers and tablecloths that are now available in bio-degradable paper, so you can celebrate in style and be sustainable too. You could even make your own decorations using retro paper chains – this will also keep the children occupied for hours, leaving you time to finish off the final preparations. And if you are feeling creative, why not try making your own paper bunting? Using pet-friendly non-toxic tempera paint, you could feature your own pet’s paw prints on each triangle!
Don’t forget to take some photos to remember the weekend – you could even get your dog a Jubilee bandana to celebrate the occasion!
Keeping pets safe
Amidst the merry making it can be all too easy to take your eye off your pet, and outside tables filled with food make easy pickings for pets. It takes just a few seconds for a cheeky paw to reach out, or a curled tongue to wrap around a tasty treat on the table, so try to keep food covered and out of reach of inquisitive noses. When it comes to food there many items that are strictly off the menu for pets: a delicious jubilee chocolate gateaux, fruitcake, or bowl of nuts and raisins could end the festivities abruptly with a trip to the vets, as these are highly toxic if ingested by your pet. So, it’s important to make sure any pet unfriendly items are kept strictly out of bounds.
For a list of the most common toxic foods, please visit: www.battersea.org.uk/toxic-food-dogs
If you suspect your pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t have, immediately contact your local vet for advice.
If the bank holiday is blessed with warm weather, be extra mindful that your pets are kept hydrated. Always make sure there is ample water available and some shade for them to sit in. You might like to invest in a cooling mat or cooling vest to keep them more comfortable. If you’d like to learn more about keeping pets safe in the sun, check out our recent social post:
Pets can easily become spooked if they are not used to lots of excited people around them, so keep them on a lead if you are concerned, and if they usually wear a muzzle, remember to put it on. Also check to make sure your pet’s microchip has up-to-date information and that they are wearing a collar. It will ensure they are returned home should they get lost.
Doggy-safe Jubilee cake!
Baking has become a national pastime since lock down and it won’t come as a surprise that Fortnum and Mason had the idea to hold The Platinum Pudding Competition to find the perfect pudding fit for the Queen. It received over 5000 submissions! The competition is now closed but you can still make your own pet-friendly pudding fit for your own four-legged Prince or Princess. The PSDA have a great recipe for doggy-safe honey and banana cakes which can be frozen for your pooch to enjoy as healthy sized portions over several months. Why not watch the video and give it a go?
Fireworks and pets
As the festivities go on into the night, fireworks are often set off to celebrate a fantastic day with a bang. Did you know there are now silent, pet-friendly fireworks? These can be purchased from many supermarkets or online. If your neighbours are having a private party, maybe suggest the silent version to them too.
It’s always best to plan ahead. Keep your cat indoors after dark and create a safe comfortable area for them to hide, should they become anxious. In anticipation of loud fireworks, which may upset your pets, you may like to visit your local pet shop to purchase calming products such as Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats. Or if your pet is particularly anxious you may wish to discuss this with your vet and consider a sedative to help them relax. If you’d like to read more on keeping your pets safe during fireworks displays, why not read our November Blog.
Dogfest
Pets have become such an important part of our lives that they even have their own dedicated festival… Dogfest, The Nation’s favourite Dog-friendly festival! Dogfest is set in seven exciting locations across the country so there’s sure to be one in your area. Why not treat your dog to a day dedicated to getting their tails wagging! There are stunning country walks, have-a-go activities, sensational dog displays, advice from experts, and even the chance to go shopping! These festivals really do celebrate everything that great about pets – day truly designed for their enjoyment – and you will have a great time too just watching how much fun your fur-baby is having. What’s nicer than chilling on a blanket and sharing delicious festival food and drink with friends or family, furry ones or not?!
Even if you don’t have a pet of your own you can still have a great day and experience the joy the activities bring to other people’s dogs. There is even live music where you can dance your cares away and really unwind.
To find out more about Dogfest and how to get involved, click HERE.
If you are still wondering how to celebrate, there are many other events around the UK which celebrate our four-legged friends, such as:
- Bark in the Park
- Dogstival 2022
- The Women’s Institute are also getting involved; they have been busy knitting Jubilee Corgis, and throughout May are hiding them around the UK to be found!
Final thoughts
Whether you are planning a full-on 4 days of socialising or are just happy to watch the celebrations unfold on TV, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 will be a momentous occasion that will create wonderful memories for many years to come.