CELEBRATIONS for the King’s coronation and the bicentenary of rugby football will take place in Rugby in 2023.
Rugby Borough Council (RBC) has approved budgets to mark the two milestones with community events and activities.
The coronation of King Charles III will take place in 2023 following his accession last September – and the year also marks 200 years since the moment when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it, creating the game which has taken the town’s name.
For the coronation on May 6, a community event will be held in Caldecott Park, featuring a giant screen showing the live ceremony, live music, street entertainers and inflatables for children.
Local organisations and businesses will be invited to join the event with their own activities and stalls.
A second giant screen with picnic benches will be set up in Market Place, and the town centre will be dressed with union flag bunting.
For the rugby bicentenary celebrations, the town centre will be decorated and lamppost banners will welcome people into the town centre, with signage on entrances to the town.
A series of community activities will be made available to local rugby clubs and primary schools, and there will be a Bicentenary Mascot.
The Council’s Art Gallery and Museum will be hosting a six-week exhibition throughout the Rugby World Cup 2023 period, where visitors can learn about how the game has developed since William Webb Ellis first took the ball in his arms.
An art competition – in partnership with Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Rugby School and the Wooden Spoon charity – is currently open until January 31, with judging taking place in March. Winning entries will be encapsulated on one of the town centre’s giant rugby ball sculptures as a lasting reminder of the bicentenary celebrations.
Rugby School has a full calendar of events starting in January, including schools tournaments both local and international, a cycle pilgrimage from The Close to Twickenham, and a world record attempt for the world’s largest scrum.
RBC leader Coun Seb Lowe said: “Rugby has a tradition of coming out and supporting coronations and, more than 70 years since the last one, we are proud to be supporting our communities to celebrate.
“With it also being 200 years since the sport of rugby was created here, 2023 will be a year of celebrations and commemorations.
“I look forward to seeing how Rugby’s businesses and communities will mark the occasion.”
Visit www.rugbyschool.co.uk/200-anniversary/events to see Rugby School’s calendar of bicentenary activities.
