Preparations are under way for a series of events in the district to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

This year, the Queen will celebrate 60 years on the throne and community groups, schools, businesses, faith groups and public sector organisations will be holding events to mark the historic occasion.

So far more than 60 events have been planned, including a celebration service at Bradford Cathedral led by the Archbishop of York and a live music and outdoor theatre event.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Naveeda Ikram said: “It’s only January and we already have a big programme of events happening across the district to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Please let us know how you are planning to mark this very special occasion in your community, or join in with some of the many events happening across the district this year.”

The main events confirmed so far include: March 16 – VIP opening of the new Kala Sangam premises at St Peter’s House in Forster Square;

March 20 – civic reception for recipients of birthday and new year’s honours at City Hall, Bradford;

April 21 – Lord Mayor’s Jubilee Diamonds and Daffodils ball at the Hilton Hotel, Bradford, to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care;

April 23 – St George’s Day event with live music and outdoor theatre;

May 13 – Jubilee Celebration Service at Bradford Cathedral, led by the Archbishop of York;

May 19 – Lord Mayor’s Carnival Parade and Civic Service of Thanksgiving in the city centre;

May/June – multi-cultural jubilee tea dance, organised by Bradford College;

June 1 – Bradford Choral Society Diamond Jubilee Concert at Bradford Grammar School;

June 4 – beacon lighting at Haworth and Thornton;

June 30 – Jubilee Armed Forces Day, drumhead service and Freedom of the City parade in Centenary Square and City Park;

August/September – 50th anniversary of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway celebrations;

September 8 – National Heritage Day in City Hall with a Diamond Jubilee exhibition.

Bradford Council is putting together a calendar of events which can be accessed at bradford.gov.uk/queensdiamondjubilee.

If you would like your event listed, call (01274) 432276 or e-mail diamond.jubilee@bradford.gov.uk.