Schools, colleges, groups, neighbours, families and friends around the West Midlands are busy with preparations to mark the historic Coronation of King Charles III next weekend.

Starting from Tuesday 2 May, the West Midlands Lieutenancy will be attending over 70 school and college celebrations on the week leading up to the Coronation.

The Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE and his Deputy Lieutenants will be out in force to join young people celebrate with Street Parties, Big Lunches, special assemblies, picnics, tree planting, Royal parades and even a Royal Variety Coronation Performance that is ambitiously being staged at Northfield Road Primary in Dudley.

Lord-Lieutenant, Sir John Crabtree OBE, will be attending the Coronation on Saturday 6 May and a number of events in the coming week. He said:

“The Coronation is really bringing people together to celebrate and get involved in some amazing projects. You can feel the excitement mounting across the region and there is a wonderful community spirit with many people volunteering for the first time to support their community.”

Dudley College will be having a Coronation Big Lunch on Wednesday 3 May, whilst at Our Lady & St Kenelm there will be a picnic followed by tree planting on Friday 5 May. Gig Mill Primary School will also be holding a coronation Celebration on Friday 5 May.

In Sandwell, Sandwell College will be having a coronation street Party,  Lightwoods Primary academy will bring out the stops at a Coronation Picnic and St Paul’s Academy will host a Garden Party on Friday.

Many towns and cities are installing Big Screens in public places so that everyone can join in the celebrations. For example, Birmingham is showing the Coronation on Big Screens in Centenary Square where entertainment is being staged across Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May and Solihull will have a Big Screen at the Solihull Core venue.

Meanwhile in Sandwell, a Big Picnic will take place on Sunday 7 May from 5 pm at Sandwell Valley Park where around 2,000 people will enjoy the Coronation Concert on a Big Screen. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council is also arranging for an afternoon tea for around 200 elderly guests.

After the Coronation on Saturday, many people are taking part in the Big Lunch on Sunday 7 May with communities holding street parties, meals and local celebrations to mark the Coronation of The King.

Then on Monday 8 May there is The Big Help Out where everyone has an opportunity to lend a hand and have a go at volunteering to make a difference to their community.