The London borough that became part of city 60 years ago as LEGO building and exhibition mark jubilee
Hillingdon Council has announced plans to celebrate the borough's diamond jubilee with a series of events including LEGO building and a travelling exhibition. This year Hillingdon marks the 60th anniversary of the borough's formation.
The anniversary will be commemorated with a series of activities and celebrations held across the borough's heritage sites and libraries. Hillingdon formally became a London borough on April 1, 1965 following the merging of the Borough of Uxbridge and the urban districts of Hayes and Harlington, Ruislip-Northwood, Yiewsley, and West Drayton.
The jubilee celebrations will begin with a special service at St Margaret's Church in Uxbridge on Sunday April 6 for invited guests. Then, a 'Reminiscence Roadshow' will visit all libraries across the borough as part of a 'future commemorative exhibition'. For children, STEM-themed LEGO construction events will also take place in libraries.
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The council has announced plans for a pop-up exhibition highlighting the borough's history at the relocated Uxbridge Library in the Civic Centre. The exhibition will then travel to all other libraries in Hillingdon.
Among the events at the borough's heritage sites is a special trail in Eastcote House Garden where visitors can hunt for 60 different treasures. The main event will be the Mayor's Picnic in the Park on Saturday, June 7 at Cowley Recreation Ground.
Last year, the council invested £1 million to 'upgrade and enhance' five parks as part of the jubilee celebrations, with more set to receive upgrades this year. All projects will receive a special commemorative jubilee plaque.
When the borough formed in 1965, the population was around 228,300. Now, 65 years on, Hillingdon is now home to an estimated 310,700 people. Back then, Heathrow only had two passenger terminals. Six-and-a-half decades on, the airport has five terminals, serving over 80 million people per year.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our brilliant borough, its history and its residents. We've organised a range of events to mark this milestone, looking back across previous decades and exploring the many ways in which our borough has changed over the years.
"We hope this celebration brings communities together to share memories, look to the future and champion the brilliant borough we all live in."
Have a story you want to share? Email philip.lynch@reachplc.com
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