A CONCERT and fireworks display to mark the King's Coronation will take place on Weymouth beach this spring.

Weymouth Town Council (WTC) has decided to put on a range of events to celebrate the historic occassion in May. 

Councillors sitting on WTC's services committee on Wednesday, March 1 decided to press ahead with plans for the Dorset seaside town to join in the international party.

The committee agreed to a stage a coronation community concert on the beach on Sunday, May 7, featuring local acts, performance groups and a local headline band.

A firework display will also take place on the Sunday, with more details to follow on timings, with Weymouth Youth Council involved in the set-up.

The official Coronation service will take place on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London.

Councillors also agreed funding worth £1,000 to encourage community groups to take part in the Big Help Out volunteering event on Monday, May 8.

A total of £100 will be made available to groups towards the cost of putting on an activity.

This complements the small grants available for community celebrations over the special weekend, with charities and organisations soon able to apply for grants of up to £350 to put on community picnics, flower shows, art projects, exhibitions or displays.

Details on how to apply for funding will be released in due course, WTC said.

Councillors also decided to offer free parking in some Dorset Council car parks during certain events in 2023.

These include the Armed Forces Service Parade on Sunday, June 18, Weymouth Beach Motocross on Sunday, October 15, and the Weymouth Christmas Lights switch-on event on Saturday, November 25. 

A fourth event will be announced at a later date. 

Cllr Ryan Hope, chairman of the services committee, said: “From the King’s Coronation weekend to the events selected to benefit from free parking, Weymouth will be home to a fantastic array of family-friendly activities over the coming months which will appeal to residents and visitors alike.

"We will also be sharing further details on how groups can apply for funding towards putting on their own activities for the coronation of King Charles, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the town comes together to celebrate this historic milestone.” 

The full agenda is available to view at www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk/committee/