A HIGH Tea event was one of two major parties organised by community groups to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

One Voice Blackburn and Blackburn Youth Zone, alongside Bangor Street Community Centre helped put on the events over the Bank holiday weekend.

One Voice Blackburn hosted their third High Tea Community Cohesion Event where 100 invited guests from across Blackburn with Darwen and beyond were treated to sandwiches, cake and tea.

Guests, at the party at Bangor St Community Centre, on Sunday included the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen Council Cllr Suleman Khonat and Sumayya Mayat, Council Leader Phil Riley and Blackburn MP Kate Hollern.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The event was arranged by the One Voice Women's Network and female youth group the West End Girls (WEGs) in a bid to promote 'integration and build solidarity and community cohesion'. Young people were on hand to serve the selction of treats that were on offer.

Lancashire Telegraph:

This crown was knitted by Samara Ahmed for the High Tea event

The Women’s Network group also created a crown which was hand knitted by one of their members.

Phil Boulding who attended the high tea event said, “This was another excellent social cohesion gathering. The Platinum Jubilee High Tea event was wonderfully attended and superbly organised with great hospitality and warm people.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Jubilee Open Day at Blackburn Youth Zone

A day earlier in Blackburn Youth Zone a Jubilee Open Day was held for young people and their families.  

The Jubilee Street site which is celebrating its own 10th anniversary welcomed guests to games, a bouncy castle, crafts, and tombola. Guests were treated to refreshments throughout the four hour event. 

Blackburn Youth Zone hosted over 200 guests on Saturday 4 June. The whole centre was opened up to young people to enjoy royal inspired arts activities.

Lancashire Telegraph:

One Voice Chairman Abrar Hussain said: “The two events showed how much the community appreciates the service of Her Majesty the Queen.

"It was wonderful to see so many members of the community young and old come together for these celebrations in Blackburn with Darwen. Above all else it shows what a united commuity we have in our town.”

The High Tea event was part of the One Voice Blackburn’s cohesion programme which has also included an Iftar event which also took place at Blackburn Youth Zone.