Events held across East Ayrshire to mark the Coronation of King Charles III

At Council HQ, Provost Jim Todd led a special event for veterans with Depute Lord Lieutenant William Stafford and Stewart Finlay, Chairperson of the Kilmarnock Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland. Piper Aaron McCullie with Music Instructor Chris Armstrong, played God Save the King on the pipes while the Saltire, the Union flag and the King’s Coronation flag were raised in a special ceremony.

The veterans were then invited to enjoy afternoon tea provided by Catering Services.

Provost Jim Todd said: “It was a real honour to welcome our veterans to Council HQ for a flag-raising ceremony to mark the Coronation of King Charles III. The men and women who joined us today have served their Queen and country and from now, servicemen and women will serve their King and country.

“This is a moment in history and it is right that we take a moment to reflect. Tomorrow the eyes of the world will be on London and the Palace of Westminster to watch the coronation of their majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla but today we can celebrate our connection to His Majesty The King, who is strongly connected to East Ayrshire.”

William Stafford, Deputy Lord Lieutenant said: “I was delighted to join Provost Todd, with my fellow Deputy Lord Lieutenant Major David Dickson, for the flag-raising ceremony at Council HQ with our veterans.

“East Ayrshire is leading the way celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III, with the most community events in Scotland. Many of the events being held have a real Scottish flavour with community ceilidhs taking place in towns and villages.

“The Coronation weekend is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our communities through street parties, the Big Help Out volunteering opportunities and to celebrate our public servants who worked tirelessly for the benefit of others.”

Across East Ayrshire schools held special celebrations to mark the Coronation. Loanhead Primary School in Kilmarnock focused on the Big Help Out, the local community and being a good citizen by carrying out litter picks in the streets around their school with their local elected members and at Kay Park, with support from Greener Communities. Onthank Primary School held a community night for families, friends and members of the school community before the school’s King and Queen led a Royal Procession before being crowned by the Archbishop of Onthank and leading a picnic in the park and an outdoor ceilidh. Hillhead Primary held a Coronation Ball, organised by their Parent Council.

Many schools held picnics and street parties while Netherthird Primary School held an afternoon garden party at Netherthird community garden; Hillside School held a Coronation tea party and Willowbank School held a Royal Teddy bear picnic and Royal Morning tea.

Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, Education and Skills and Culture said: “Many of our schools marked His Majesty The King’s Coronation by supporting the Big Help Out, a voluntary initiative, and helping out in their own communities through litter picks or reaching out to older people.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for our children and young people to celebrate an historical event while helping their community but also enjoying some special treats and delicious food courtesy of Catering Services.”