Jubilee organisers want pop princess for parade (From Ledbury Reporter)

Jubilee organisers want pop princess for parade

12:40pm Wednesday 11th April 2012 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed

ORGANISERS of Malvern’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations want the town’s own pop sensation Cher Lloyd to ride at the front of a colourful carnival-style procession.

The parade was given the goahead this week after some doubts over whether it would go ahead, due to concerns over whether there would be enough police resources to control it.

But after successful discussions with police, organisers have now mapped out a route and are on the hunt for a celebrity to share star-billing with Malvern’s mayor at the head of the procession.

Swagger Jagger singer Cher, aged 18, who shot to fame on the X Factor in 2010, is the number one choice for the role while an approach will be made to Malvern Theatres about the availability of stars performing there.

The parade, which will be comprised entirely of motorised or horse-drawn vehicles rather than people on foot, will gather in Wells Road above Peachfield Common before setting off towards the town centre at 2pm on Saturday, June 2.

It will continue on the main road through Belle Vue Terrace, Link Top and down through Malvern Link, before heading to Barnards Green, where it will arrive to coincide with the conclusion of celebrations taking place there.

Members of Malvern’s Diamond Jubilee committee hope to get at least 15 floats signed up for the procession, and will be approaching businesses and local groups asking for their support.

Chairman Martin Burton is thrilled that the procession is able to go ahead and grateful to Malvern’s police for their support.

he said: “It’s fair to say that I am very pleased with the way things have developed in the last week or so. We now have the makings of a very good event.”

The procession is just one of a host of events celebrating the jubilee weekend in Malvern.

Celebrations begin with the Mayor’s Diamond Jubilee Ball at the Bank House in Bransford at 7pm on Friday, June 1.

As well as the procession, Saturday, June 2, will also feature the Great Malvern Food Festival, the ‘Crown the Green’ fund-raiser being organised by traders in Barnards Green and the opening of Malvern Civic Week.

Sunday, June 3, will see a Bands in the Park concert and a jubilee service at Malvern Priory.

On Bank Holiday Monday, June 4, there will be a host of goings-on in the town centre and the grounds of Malvern Priory, while the Great Malvern Jubilee Picnic is in Priory Park from 1pm to 4.30pm. A jubilee beacon will be lit on top of the Worcestershire Beacon at 9.30pm that evening.