CHURCH bells in Bell Busk will ring for the first time in years to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee next month.

A small committee of Bell Busk and Coniston Cold residents has been working together to organise a timetable of events to put on throughout the weekend.

Helen Barrow, who has lived in Bell Busk for two-and-a-half years and has been leading the group said: “A small group of us has been working together to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen and her life on the throne, and we just want people to have a bit of fun together, especially after Covid.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to say thank you to HRH and we just want to give everyone the opportunity to come together as a community.”

So far, the committee has worked together to plant a tree to recognise the Queen’s wish for the country to plant a canopy across the land. 

Helen said the horse-chestnut tree has been planted in Bell Busk and will be registered on the Queen's Green Canopy QGC map. It has also been marked with a plaque donated by North Yorkshire County Council.

In addition, an eight foot '70' symbol has been erected in St Peter's churchyard which will be decorated with wooden crowns adorned with messages to Her Majesty from each household in the parishes of Coniston Cold and Bell Busk.

A photo of the monument will be sent to HRH on the jubilee weekend.

Looking ahead, on Thursday, June 2 at 7.30pm there will be a cheese and wine beacon in Coniston Cold’s newly decorated village hall to kick off the momentous weekend.

On Saturday, June 4 the bell on the apex of No1 Bell Busk which last officially rang out at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 will ring once again during a street party celebration, where residents are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and fancy hats to commemorate the day.

Residents attending the party are asked to make a donation of £10 towards puddings, cakes, BBQ equipment and cutlery on the day.

A TV will be set up so residents can watch the concert and activities in London taking place while celebrating.

On Sunday, June 5, a community Jacobs Join lunch is set to take place in the village hall, followed by "A Celebration of the HRH Jubilee" at 2.15pm at St Peter's Church, with Settle and Giggleswick Brass band accompanying.