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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Molly Dowrick

Swansea landmarks to be lit up in purple for Queen's Jubilee

Swansea Arena, the Guildhall, Castle Square and Wind Street are among the local landmarks and locations that will be lit up in purple this Bank Holiday weekend, to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

Across the city, dozens of communities are hosting street parties to mark the historic occasion and there's a wide range of events taking place at Oystermouth Castle in Mumbles too. You can read more about events taking place across Wales for the Queen's Jubilee in a previous article here.

Leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart has confirmed that the council has "waived" the fees for street closures and said more than 60 streets in the city have been given the greet light to close their roads for the day so they can celebrate with traditional street parties.

Mr Stewart also confirmed that Castle Square, the Guildhall, Wind Street, Oxford Street, and Swansea Arena will all be illuminated by lights in the "official jubilee colour of purple" whilst the Council will host a special commemorative Jubilee Beacon lighting at the Guildhall on June 2.

Read more: Why the Queen owns every dolphin in British waters and other strange facts about our monarch

He added: "Scores of communities across the city will also be joining in the celebrations, hanging out the bunting and closing their roads for street parties across the four-day Bank Holiday which kicks off next week. Swansea Council has waived the fees for street closures and more than 60 streets in the city have been given the green light to close their roads for the day so they can celebrate with traditional street parties.

"The council is also hosting a special commemorative Jubilee Beacon lighting at the Guildhall on June 2, the day of the main celebrations. A number of Jubilee garden parties at the Lord Mayor’s Mansion House are also being held during the summer so communities can get together to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years on the throne."

He also said that libraries in Swansea have been staging half-term crafts and arts sessions with a jubilee theme week too.

Mr Stewart added: "It’s an opportunity for communities in Swansea to come together and enjoy themselves. We've removed fees for street closures to support local street parties and our free bus rides offer will also be operating over the four-day Jubilee bank holiday until 7pm every day, so people can travel to events around Swansea at no cost.

"As a Queen’s Green Canopy Champion City, we are working with community groups and schools across the county this year to plant thousands of new trees, whips and saplings helping to expand our green canopy in Swansea for future years. They’ll be a lasting legacy of this memorable jubilee year that will be enjoyed by future generations for many years to come."

This is not the first time Swansea's landmarks have been lit up in purple. Back in September 2021, Swansea Guildhall was illuminated in purple in support for campaign group Pension Justice for Swansea Women.

One of the group's coordinators, Janet Fisk said lighting up the monument showed support for the women affected by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) changes to women's state pension age. Swansea landmarks and historic buildings have also previously been lit up in green to mark special occasions including Eid al-Adha and St Patricks' Day, and to support local and national charities.

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