Images of hundreds of thousands of people on The Mall on the front pages of the National Newspapers on Monday 11th July brought back memories of The Queens Golden Jubilee in 2002. This year, the event was the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Unusual Services was engaged by The Ministry of Defence to provide production services for a weeklong programme of events.
The main focus was on Sunday 10th July with a staged event on Horse Guards Parade for 11,000 veterans. During the week leading up to this event, projections of hitherto unseen World War II images were shown on the façade of Buckingham Palace, an 85m x 30m tented Veterans Centre was installed in St. James’s Park as was a Living Museum, Press Centre, the BBC, British Forces Broadcasting Service, NAAFI and many other events and attractions. St. James’s Park benefited from many thousands of visitors during the week. In addition, there was a display of World War II military and civilian vehicles on The Mall, which culminated in a parade on Sunday afternoon.
Unusual Services were contracted by Appleyards Consulting to provide production services for the unveiling of the Womens Memorial in Whitehall, which was unveiled by Her Majesty the Queen on the afternoon of Saturday 9th July.
Sunday 10th was the focal day for the Commemorations. Unusual Services had created an event site on Horse Guards Parade with and audience capacity of 11,000 for invited veterans. Many of the Jubilee team were reunited to provide technical services. The 40m x 25m stage was built by Edwin Shirley Staging with sound by Wigwam and lighting from PRG Europe. Scenic dressing, including a 160m scenic wall was provided by Centrestage. We were all fed by Michelle and her team from Eat to the Beat. Amongst other key suppliers were Search, Power Logistics, Arena Seating, Unusual Rigging, Screenco, Show & Event, Dobson Sound, Delta Sound, Thorns & National Radio Bank.
The event culminated with a parade of 600 standards down the Mall, The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and a World War II flypast with the Lancaster Bomber dropping one million poppies over London.
There was a poignancy to this event, which touched many. On the 7th, London was subjected to a series of bombings. We were all there to honour a generation that gave so much during the Second World War. We have benefited from 60 years of peace and it is no surprise that so many people flocked to Central London to demonstrate their solidarity. For all of us, it was a privilege to play a part in a very special occasion.