THERE were more than twice the number of street parties in Craven for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee than there were for the King’s Coronation, figures show.

In June, 2022, the country celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne and Craven was no exception with North Yorkshire Council revealing in a freedom of information request that 13 street parties took place over the long bank holiday weekend.

From Skipton to Settle and Grassington, bunting-laden parties were held across the district.

Normally, the council asks for a fee to close a street but it decided to waive these costs to encourage festivities.

The same policy was in place for those wanting to celebrate the King’s Coronation in May when Charles III officially ascended to the throne following the death of his mother in September last year.

But this time, the number of street parties held across the former Craven district area was much lower with just six taking place, according to the council.

The figures also reveal that across the whole of North Yorkshire there were 116 street parties for the Queen’s Jubilee and 33 for the King’s Coronation.

Graham Smith, chief executive officer of the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic said the figures show that support is falling for the royal family in the county.

He said: “Support for the monarchy is falling and this is clearly as true for North Yorkshire as the rest of the country. For a lot of people the Queen was the monarchy and the monarchy was the Queen. With endless scandal and the loss of the Queen, and growing concern about the way the country is governed, it’s not surprise people are less excited about celebrating big royal events.”

Parties held for last year’s platinum jubilee included a street party on Skipton High Street as well as a crafts and music extravaganza at Skipton’s Town Hall where revellers could also watch a live stream of the Jubilee Pageant from Buckingham Palace.

Despite less than perfect weather, the turn-out at the event, organised by Skipton Town Council and held on the closed High Street was good with families turning out in raincoats and coming prepared with umbrellas to join the celebrations.

The King's coronation in Skipton was celebrated with a party in the canal basin, again with the London ceremony streamed live onto a large screen. There was also a mass bell ringing at St Andrew's Church, Kildwick, and street parties were held including at Hebden, West Marton, Long Preston and in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.