Stockport residents invited to London’s Queen’s Jubilee Pageant in Spring 2022

The pageant is set to be watched by a global audience of hundreds of millions of people.

It comes after a Mossley carnival arts organisation was invited to be the only creative contributor from Northern England to produce a section of the procession at the Pageant in London. Though based in Tameside, the organisation, Global Grooves, wants to represent the whole of Greater Manchester by inviting people from across the ten boroughs to get involved.

Global Grooves are looking for two drummers or dance ambassadors (African, South Asian, Caribbean or Greater Manchester style) from Stockport to perform at the Pageant in London. Support from Greater Manchester Arts will fund the cost of travel and accommodation to London for the two selected from the borough. It’s a fantastic opportunity to show off your skills in a parade that will be televised across the world.

They’re also on the hunt for a percussionist aged 14 to 25, and volunteer puppeteers to be a part of the show.

The show, based on ‘A Sharing of Gifts’ will be a colourful carnival celebrating every corner of the Commonwealth, as well as the styles and cultures we have here in the UK.

Applicants will be chosen based on enthusiasm and to represent the fantastic diversity we have here in Greater Manchester.

Applications close on 24th March, so make sure you get your name in the hat to represent Stockport on the global stage this June. Apply now.

Councillor David Sedgwick, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus at Stockport Council, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Stockport to get involved in a historic event that will be watched across the world. It’s a chance to come together as Greater Manchester and show our diversity, talent and community spirit to the rest of the country. This is a historic year as we celebrate Her Majesty’s record 70-year long reign. I encourage everyone in Stockport to apply and get involved in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Councillor Amanda Peers, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods at Stockport Council, added: “I hope that people from all different communities will be able to come together to seize this opportunity to perform in the Queen’s Jubilee pageant. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful mixture of different cultures we have here in the borough.”

Leon Patel, CEO, Global Grooves, said: "Our parade piece celebrates the deep cultural exchanges that take place when people travel and meet others who have vastly different experiences, ideas and ways of living and being.

“It also focuses on our talented, diverse communities in Greater Manchester, showing that when we are open to new friendships and cultural collaborations anything is possible.

“We are of course delighted to be able to share Global Grooves' creative, celebratory and inclusive vision with audiences all over the world.”

Kirsty Connell, network coordinator, Greater Manchester Arts, said: "The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase to the world some of the talent we have here in Greater Manchester.

"We're really pleased to be able to support Global Grooves in ensuring that all of Greater Manchester is represented."

Find out more and apply.