BASILDON is getting ready for a big night (Thursday, 2June) with a host of beacon lightings and community events to mark the start of the Queen's Platinum four day Jubilee-weekend. 

There will beacon lighting ceremonies culminating at 9.45pm at Gloucester Park in Basildon, Sun Corner in Billericay, Pound Lane in Laindon, Wat Tyler Park in Pitsea, and Wickford Memorial Park in Wickford. Activities at the parks will start at around 8.30pm. 

There will be other events, for example Noak Bridge Parish Council will be holding a beacon lighting ceremony on the Wash Road open space on Thursday,  2 June at 9.30pm.

The Little Burstead Beacon lighting will take place on Thursday 2 June at 9.45pm.

The village will be holding their main celebrations on Saturday, 4 June.

The main celebrations include a dog show at 10am and a street party for children at 2.30/3pm. There will be children's games and side shows throughout. At 5pm there will be live entertainment, refreshments in the beer tent, communal BBQs (villagers and guests are invited to bring tents and BBQs to celebrate Royal Music in the meadow) and the evening will end with a firework display.

Both events will take place at Ellis Field, Laindon Common Road, Little Burstead CM12 9TJ.

Bowers and Gifford North Benfleet Parish Council are hosting Jubilee celebrations on Sunday, 5 June. There will be live music, a children's entertainer, stalls, games, vintage cars, tug o'war, and more to enjoy. Guests are invited to bring a picnic and to dress in a 50s style (optional).

The event is free to enter and will take place at Westlake Park, Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford between 12pm to 4pm. 

Paddocks Community Hall Jubilee Fun Day will take place on Sunday 5 June, with a variety of stalls, burger van, ice cream, and sweet trolly.

The event will take place at Paddocks Community Hall, Pound Lane, Laindon, Basildon, SS15 5SP.

Wickford Town Council and The Friends of Wickford Memorial Park are hosting Wickford Jubilee celebrations on Thursday 2 June. There will be a Lantern Parade at 8.30pm, followed by the Beacon Lighting Cermeony at 9.15pm to 10pm. 

This will take place at Wickford Memorial Park Aboretum.

Wickford Community Association are hosting a Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday, 5 June. There will be free family entertainment, a vintage singer, afternoon tea and refreshments. This event will take place at Nevendon Centre, Nevendon Road, Wickford, SS12 0QG between 11.30am and 5pm. 

St Chad's Church will be hosting a Platinum Jubilee Concert on Friday 3 June. Doors will open at 6.30pm and the concert will start at 7pm. Reverend David Ibiayo will be acting as host and Pastor Peter Adeshile we be acting as concert minister. 

This event will take place at Church of England, St.Chad's Church, 782 Clay Hill Road, Vange, Basildon, SS16 4NG.

Christ Church Billericay are celebrating with a Jubilee Community Picnic. The event will inclide a jubilee hat compition, a BBQ and refreshments (or you can take your own picnic), ice cream, music, bouncy castles, games, crafts, and face painting. The Jack-Austin Despy Blues Band will be playing at the picnic. 

The event will take place on Sunday, 5 June between 2pm to 5pm, at Christ Church, Perry Street, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0NX.

The Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower will be holding two Jubilee themed events: a Soapbox Derby on Friday, 3 June and Musicfest on Saturday,4 June.

Both events will be taking place at Sun Corner, Queen Elizabeth II field, and will be open for all to attend.