James Pearson, KCC’s Head of Libraries, Registration and Archives, said:
"We asked our library team across the county to come up with ideas for marking the celebration in their own way for their towns and villages and they have done so with great enthusiasm and a great range of activities across Kent."
The various events include:
- make a royal crown or a Union Flag
- draw a royal crest
- a royalty-themed Lego club
- Coronation-themed Rhyme Time and treasure hunt
- a knitting group producing Coronation bunting
- a live streaming event of the coronation at the Kent History and Library Centre, in Maidstone.
Many other events have already been held.
Coronation events across Kent
Ashford, Maidstone and Tonbridge events
| Library location | Date | Time | About the event | Age range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashford | 4th May | 10am to 10:20am | Themed storytime with crown making craft | Preschool |
| Ashford | 5th May | 10:30am to 11:30am | Themed Baby Rhyme Time | Babies and toddlers |
| Ashford | 6th May | 11:45pm to 12:15pm | Lego themed event | 6 to 10 years |
| Bockhanger | 12th May | 3pm to 4pm | Family zone with crown making / decorating | Primary school aged |
| Charing, Stanhope, Tenterden, Wye | 2nd May to 5th | - | Children’s colouring in sheets and decoration of libraries in celebration. | Toddler to 11 years |
| Hadlow | Viewable in the library | - | Knit and Natter displays – bunting, miniature royal family members, themed post box topper. | All ages |
| Headcorn | 6th May | 10am to 10:30am | Design your own crown activity. (Bookable event only). | 0 to 8 years |
| Maidstone district | 1st May to 9th May | - | Coronation activity packs or colouring sheets available, including bunting and crown templates. | 0 to 11 years |
| Maidstone Kent History and Library Centre | 6th May | 10:30am to 2pm | A party in the multi-use space. Will live stream the coronation and offer tea and cake to anyone who wants to pop in and watch it. | All ages |
| Maidstone Kent History and Library Centre | 6th May | 10:30am to 2pm | Themed Storytime and craft, Themed Lego club, crafts available and activity packs to take away all day. | 0 to 11 years |
| Snodland | - | - | School display – possible volunteering collaboration with the school. | School aged |
| Staplehurst | 5th May | 3:30pm to 4:15pm | Design a crown using premade templates and wear it in style! (the conquering and claiming of land is not encouraged) | 0 to 11 years |
| Tonbridge | 6th May | 10am to 12pm | Coronation Weekend Craft Event - regular session badged | All ages |
| Tonbridge North/ Hildenborough/ East Peckham | - | - | Coronation themed colour sheets for children to take as necessary. Coronation displays as well in all sites | 0 to 11 years |
| West Malling | 5th May | 10am to 1pm | Welcome back West Malling Coronation arty-one off event. | All ages |
Canterbury, Folkestone and Hythe events
| Library location | Date | Time | About the event | Age range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury | 4th May | - | Coronation crafts. | All welcome under supervision. Suitable for children aged 5 and above. |
| Canterbury district | - | - | All the libraries are having displays and Herne Bay and Canterbury have got local schools drawing pictures of King Charles to display in the library. | - |
| Herne Bay | 5th May | - | Storytime and craft event. | All welcome under supervision. Suitable for children aged 5 and above. |
| Hythe | April to May | - | Are you handy with a knitting or crochet needle? There’s a really big event coming up this May and Hythe Library is planning to celebrate in style. If you would like to help, and can knit, crochet or sew, then please do let us know so we can make this extra special for all. Our aim is to cover the library with bunting, flags and flowers. These items will be donated to charity after the coronation. We are also hoping to set up a Knit & Natter group to meet in the library so if this is something you would like to be part of please do speak to a member of staff for more information. | - |
| Lydd | - | - | The Library will be decorated with bunting etc, also colouring sheets and make a crown. | - |
| Sturry | 2nd May | 10:30am to 12:30pm | Macmillan coffee morning to tie in for the coffee and chat group. | All ages |
| Whitstable | 5th May | - | Macmillan coffee morning and thank you volunteer coffee morning. | All ages |
| Wood Avenue | - | - | Make a Crown template and colouring sheets of the Kings Guard. | 0 to 11 years |
Dartford, Gravesham and Swale events
| Library location | Date | Time | About the event | Age range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartford, Gravesend, Sittingbourne and Faversham | - | - | Crown-related craft events | All ages |
| Gravesend | 8th April | - | Large window display | - |
| Gravesend | 8th April to 5th May | - | Crown and Orb decorating to make bunting for display around the library | 4 to 11 years |
| Gravesend | 3rd May | - | Coronation themed Rhyme Time and Story | 0 to 4 years |
| Gravesend | 6th May | 12pm to 1pm | Coronation themed craft – badged during normal homework club hour | 4 to 11 years |
| Gravesham branches | Mid April onwards | - | Coronation themed displays in windows/ walls with accompanying book displays | - |
| Higham | 5th May | - | Higham Knitters installing coronation themed bunting to library and courtyard | - |
| Higham | 5th May | - | Coronation themed Baby Rhyme Time and Story | 0 to 4 years |
| Kings Farm | April to May | - | Knitting group installing coronation themed bunting to library | - |
| Meopham | 3rd May | - | Coronation themed Baby Rhyme Time and Story | 0 to 4 years |
Dover and Thanet events
| Library location | Date | Time | About the event | Age range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash, Aylesham, Deal, Dover, Dover mobile, Sandwich and St Margaret’s | 2 to 6 May | Available during usual library opening hours | Royal activity sheets. | 3 to 11 years |
| Birchington | 6th May | 10am to 12pm | Union Flag Craft Making | 6 to 10 years |
| Cliftonville | 5th May | 2pm to 4pm | Make a Royal Crown and Activity sheets. Coronation Trail. All windows decorated with Coronation theme. Book stock display of HMs special interests. | 3 to 10 years |
| Deal | 5th May | 9:45am to 10:15am | A Right, Royal Baby Rhyme Time | 0 to 3 years |
| Deal | 5th May | 10:30am to 11:30am | Draw a Royal Crest | 0 to 3 years |
| Deal | 6th May | 2pm to 3pm | Coronation Macmillan Coffee and Cake | All ages |
| Dover | 6th May | 10:45am to 12pm | Coronation Macmillan Coffee and Cake | All ages |
| Margate | - | - | Royal Thanet display (LS) | - |
| Ramsgate | 6th May | 10:30am to 12pm | Royal story time and crown making (ticketed) | 4 to 8 years |
| Sandwich | 5th May | 10am to 10:30am | A Right, Royal Baby Rhyme Time | 0 to 3 years |
| Sandwich | 6th May | - | A Right, Royal Story Time | 3 to 7 years |
| St Margaret's | 3rd May | 10am to 10:30am | A Right, Royal Baby Rhyme Time | 0 to 3 years |
Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells events
| Library location | Date | Time | About the event | Age range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sevenoaks district branches | 1st to 6th May | - | Treasure Hunt looking for letters to spell out a phrase connected to the Coronation | - |
| Tunbridge Wells district brances | 1st to 6th May | - | Treasure Hunt looking for letters to spell out a phrase connected to the Coronation. Coronation Connections – library connections with the royal family. Various branches. Coronation quiz – all branches and Facebook | - |
Citizenship ceremonies
Those attending the three ceremonies on the 9th May will receive special flags and our photographers will take photos. We will also have coronation themed cakes from the caterer.
