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Cambridge to celebrate the coronation with a ‘Feast on the Piece’




The city of Cambridge will celebrate the coronation of King Charles III with a celebration and pageant event this Sunday (May 7), inviting 2,000 guests from the city and surrounding region.

Preparations at Parker's Piece
Preparations at Parker's Piece

Attendees will be selected by local charities working within the community. In particular, the organisers of the event will also be working closely with local charity Romsey Mill to invite 1,000 disadvantaged individuals and families from Cambridge city and surrounding areas to attend this day of celebration.

The event will take place in the afternoon and will include a feast, pageant and entertainment. Attendees will each be assigned a table from which they will be able to view the festivities and enjoy a meal, provided by some of Cambridgeshire’s finest producers.

The Coronation Feast in 1838
The Coronation Feast in 1838

The menu is being overseen by Michelin-starred chef Tristan Welch, who has appointed top local and regional growers, makers and suppliers to host food stalls on the day who will offer guests a complimentary lunch.

Architect, Professor John Simpson, has overseen the design of the feast ‘arena’. This will feature screens to watch archive and recap footage of the coronation and will allow for attendees to view the days festivities.

Entertainment will run throughout the afternoon and the pageant, which is being overseen by Rob Tinkler of the Junction and will feature local talent including St John’s College choir.

Preparations at Parker's Piece
Preparations at Parker's Piece

Key personalities from across Cambridge have come together to help support and oversee the occasion. The event is being supported by Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence, the High Sheriff Jennifer Compton, Nicholas Bewes (Howard Group), Ian Sandison (Cambridge BID), Professor John Simpson (architect), Angela Chadwyck-Healey (fundraiser and patron), and Chris Mann (BBC Cambridgeshire).

The mayor, Mark Ashton, has additionally pledged his support, backed by Cambridge City Council, which has granted unprecedented permission for the event to take place.

Preparations at Parker's Piece
Preparations at Parker's Piece

The University Arms Hotel will also be involved in the celebrations. The event has been made possible with funding from Cambridge BID, Birketts, Dark Trace and the Penchant Foundation.

The Feast on the Piece will take place on Parker’s Piece - the very location of the coronation feast held to honour the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838. Held 185 years later, the 2023 event will echo this grand moment in the city’s history.



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