Bridport is gearing up for a weekend of celebrations to mark the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort Camilla. 

A number of events will be staged in and around the town over the Bank Holiday weekend in early May, with Bridport also set to take part in the national Big Help Out campaign on the Bank Holiday Monday, encouraging volunteering in local communities. 

Starting celebrations early, a coronation concert will be held at the United Church in East Street, Bridport, on Saturday, April 29. Tickets for this cost £12 and are now available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre. 

On Thursday, May 4 the Furleigh Estate at Salway Ash, near Bridport, will host a coronation afternoon tea party from 2.30pm. 

On arrival you will be greeted with a glass of Furleigh Estate's King's Cuvée, before being seated for afternoon tea, provided by local chef Connie Hawker and including a selection of finger sandwiches, savouries and sweet treats to include mini coronation trifles. 

Food will be served with a pot of tea and a glass of Furleigh Estate Everdene and entertainment will be provided by singer and pianist Julie Dunn.

Numbers are limited and tickets cost £55 each, available online at https://furleighestate.co.uk/product/king-s-coronation-afternoon-tea-party

On coronation day - Saturday, May 6 - an alternative coronation event will be staged by Grow Slow at Broomhill Farm, from 10am to 11.50am, with full details to be announced. 

The town's main coronation celebration will be staged by the Allington Hillbillies at Coopers Field, off Hospital Lane, Bridport, from 6.30pm on Saturday, May 6.

This will include entertainment from DJ HandJam, Chris Deacon and Bridport Young Performers, with the programme will also include lantern making followed by a parade and bonfire. 

For and drink vendors will be on site or bring your own. Entry is free but donations would be welcome - either by card or cash - with all proceeds to be split between Bridport Folk Festival 2024, Bridport Young Performers and the Allington Hillbillies, which volunteer for the Woodland Trust at Allington Hill.

On Sunday, May 7 and Bank Holiday Monday, May 8, Abbey Farm at Abbotsbury will be inviting visitors to make their own coronation crown, from 110am to 3pm both days, costing £2 for all materials. Profits raised will be donated to the Prince's Trust.

On Monday, May 8, Bridport's fifth From Street to Sea litter pick will form part of the Big Help Out campaign, as part of the King's coronation weekend. 

You can join in by meeting at any of the start locations – Morrisons or Waitrose car parks in Bridport, or the West Bay Discovery Centre – at 10am, or the Watch House Cafe in West Bay for a beach later pick, or simply collect litter on your own street.

The Hive Beach Cafe at Burton Bradstock, Watch House Cafe in West Bay, and The Club House in West Bexington, are also hosting a weekend of coronation celebrations including DJs and live music. 

Look out for announcements on coronation events at other pubs and restaurants in the Bridport area.

If you are holding a coronation event in the Bridport area, please send details to [email protected] for publicity and coverage on Bridport Nub News.