Big Help Out see volunteers from the south celebrate Coronation

Summary

Volunteers across the south have taken part in community events to mark the final day of the Coronation celebrations
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children joined volunteers to help renovate the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough
Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Take That took to the stage on Sunday evening for the spectacular Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle
Beach cleaning, wildflower planting, and litter picking are among some of the events in the south people have helped out with
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh took part in a puppy class at the Guide Dogs training centre in Reading
Organisers say volunteering rates dropped during the pandemic and that many charities are in desperate need of help

Live Reporting

Emily Ford and Maria Zaccaro

Everybody gets a gopublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Emily Ford
BBC News
Image source, PA Media
I don't know about you - but I would not want to be on the receiving end of one of these arrows!
The whole family have turned in the wheelbarrows, paintbrushes and shovels for spot of archery.
They're at the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough as part of the Coronation Big Help Out event today.
And it looks like they're having a great time enjoying a bit of downtime in between volunteering.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Whatever boys, I'm going to do some paintingpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Emily Ford
BBC News
Image source, PA Media
Princess Charlotte has chosen to help by doing some painting for the scout hut while her brothers play in the digger with the Prince of Wales.
All the children are getting involved somehow, here Princess Charlotte is seen applying some wood stain to an outdoor bench
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Let's have a go dad!published at 12:54 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Image source, PA Media
Prince George and Prince Louis are both getting a go with Prince William in his digger.
The family is taking part in a Big Help Out event at the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough this afternoon.
Image source, PA Media
Prince Louis shows serious determination to help with his wheelbarrowpublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Emily Ford
BBC News
Image source, PA Media
We're all loving the look of determination on Prince Louis' face as he grabs a wheelbarrow to help out at the scout hut.
Look at him go!
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Prince of Wales gets involved in some digging for Big Help Outpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Image source, PA Media
The Prince and Princess of Wales have taken their children to help out at the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough.
The family is volunteering by offering up their labouring services to the hut as part of the Big Help Out, marking the Coronation of King Charles III.
Princess of Wales visits Slough scout hut with childrenpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Emily Ford
BBC News
Image source, PA Media
Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George have joined the Prince and Princess of Wales to help volunteers renovate and improve the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough, as part of the Big Help Out, to mark the crowning of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Gazebos to the rescue for volunteers in Romseypublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Jo Palmer
Reporting from Romsey
BBC Radio Solent's Jo Palmer has been chatting with volunteers who are out in Romsey today.
They've set up stalls for the Big Help Out in the hopes of showcasing their work in the town.
Quote Message
"Damp weather hasn’t stopped a variety of volunteer groups showcasing the work they do to in Romsey Town Centre. Cancer charities, paramedics and youth groups are encouraging others to get involved for just a few hours. Some of the groups have opted for the shelter of being inside the town hall, while many of the outdoor groups have committed to gazebos and whatever the weather chucks at them in the market square.
Jo Palmer, BBC Radio Solent
Families help out at litter picking event in Southamptonpublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Hannah Walsh
BBC News
Image caption,
(L-R) Alexandra, Natasza and Agnieszka start litter picking
Families are getting stuck in by cleaning up the park their children use daily with a litter picking event.
The Friends of St James' Park in Southampton, external have organised the event for the Coronation Big Help Out.
Our reporter Hannah Walsh has tagged along to chat with volunteers, who will be treated to some games and a Coronation picnic afterwards.
Image caption,
(L-R) Effie, Rachel and Silas are volunteering by litter picking for the first time
Rachel has joined the team of volunteers in the park today.
She said: “I’m here to take part in the Big Help Out to pick litter and keep the area tidy and clean because I don’t like seeing litter everywhere.
“It’s a first, I’ve wanted to volunteer for a while but this is the first time I’ve been able to."
Image caption,
There are some edible treats and activities for people to enjoy after they've finished their volunteer work
Quote Message
The rain earlier hasn’t put a dampener on the event - the atmosphere is great with lots of people turning up. Everyone I’ve been speaking to is really keen to get involved and keep their local area clean. For lots of people, this event is a first time volunteering with the Big Help Out inspiring people to get out into their local area and try new things.
Hannah Walsh, BBC Reporter
Image caption,
(L-R) Alastair, Jude and Betsy came prepared in their wellie boots for litter picking
Hospice shop offers volunteering taster sessionspublished at 11:55 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Sam Dixon-French
Reporting from Woodley
The Thames Hospice store in Woodley is offering volunteer taster sessions today.
The team hope people will take part in the Coronation Big Help Out and get a flavour for what it's like to volunteer for the organisation.
New Forest food bank hosts 'Big Sort Out'published at 11:49 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Tristan Pascoe
Reporting from the New Forest
The New Forest Basics Bank is holding a Big Help Out event for the Coronation with a little twist.
Volunteers are running a big sort out of produce which has come in over the weekend - preparing it to be handed out this week.
BBC Radio Solent reporter Tristan Pascoe went to visit the team and see how it's going.
He said there is a "real hub and buzz of activity" as volunteers help move produce, clean shelves and deliver parcels.
Media caption,
Nellie Rogers, Secretary of New Forest Basics Bank, talks us through their event
Coronation grannies tell of their 'memorable' dayspublished at 11:40 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
The pensioners who braved the cold and rain for days to watch the Coronation say they would to it again.
Read More
Youth centre uses Big Help Out to freshen uppublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Charlotte Foot
Reporting from Portland
Volunteers are putting their painting skills to good use by giving benches at Islanders Youth and Community Centre in Portland a freshen up.
BBC Dorset reporter Charlotte Foot visited the team this morning.
She said they’re trying to give the centre a £100,000 makeover and are using today’s Big Help Out as an opportunity to make some progress with their outdoor area in time for the summer.
Rain has meant they’ve had to bring the outdoors in - sanding and painting benches inside, in colours which not only represent sand and the sea, but also the Portland flag.
Volunteers range in ages from 10 to someone in their eighties.
What charities do the King and Queen give their time to?published at 11:25 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Image source, Reuters
Over the years, King Charles III and Queen Camilla have worked closely with many charities and public organisations.
King Charles has established more than 20 charities over four decades, including The Prince’s Trust, The Prince’s Foundation and the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund, according to the Royal Family’s official website, external.
He has publicly supported a wide variety of causes related to the environment, rural communities, the arts, healthcare and education.
For Queen Camilla’s part, she is a patron or president of over 90 charities. Her charity work is often linked to health and wellbeing, promoting literacy, the arts, animal welfare and supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault.
Yellow raincoats galore as people brave rain for beach clean uppublished at 11:17 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Emily Hudson
Reporting from Emsworth
BBC Radio Solent reporter Emily Hudson is out with volunteers on a beach clean up in Emsworth this morning.
Dozens of people have arrived to track down any litter on the streets leading up to the seafront - with a cute little puppy mascot to boot.
Bun throwing anyone?published at 11:10 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Julia Wootton
Reporting from Abingdon
Media caption,
Abingdon residents take part in 400-year-old bun throwing tradition
The people of Abingdon have taken part in a 400-year-old tradition during their Coronation weekend celebrations.
Bun throwing is an event where specially made buns are thrown to residents from the top of the County Hall.
They are held to mark royal occasions, so of course there had to be one for the new King's coronation - complete with buns decorated with his cypher.
Image caption,
The buns were decorated with King Charles III cypher before being thrown to residents to mark the Coronation
First cygnets of 2023 arrive over Coronation weekend in Dorsetpublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Instagram
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip instagram post
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of instagram post
Police and public in Windsor praised for their conductpublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Maria Zaccaro
BBC News
Image source, Thames Valley Police
Image caption,
Dozens of police officers were deployed to Windsor for the event
Police officers and the public who have attended the Coronation concert in Windsor on Sunday have been praised for their conduct.
More than 20,000 people were at the event in the evening, while a further 10,000 took part in community initiatives along the Long Walk during the day.
Christian Bunt, the assistant chief constable at Thames Valley Police, thanked concert-goers, residents, business owners and visitors for their cooperation.
He added: "My officers have commented on how many positive interactions they've had with residents and visitors in the town which has made for such a lovely, celebratory atmosphere.”
Image source, Thames Valley Police
Image caption,
Thames Valley Police thanked all the various teams that it worked with
Image source, Thames Valley Police
Image caption,
The police said there were no significant disruption or incidents
How to find out about volunteering near mepublished at 10:44 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
If you’re yet to sign up to volunteer today and fancy doing so as part of The Big Help Out, it’s not too late.
An app and a website have been set up where you can search for various volunteering opportunities in your local area., external
Activities range from community gardening to helping at rescue animal centres and supporting young people to helping the elderly.
Tree planted in honour of King Charles III Coronationpublished at 10:42 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Image source, West Oxfordshire District Council
Residents in Springfield Oval, Witney have come together to celebrate the King's Coronation by unveiling a commemorative oak tree.
The sapling was donated by West Oxfordshire District Council and planted by councillor Andrew Coles and 97-year-old RAF veteran Mr Dennis Bishop.
After the tree unveiling, residents stayed on to enjoy food and fun as part of the Coronation Big Lunch celebrations.
Image source, West Oxfordshire District Council
Wimborne church celebrates Coronation with weekend eventspublished at 10:31 British Summer Time 8 May 2023
Image source, Minster Church Wimborne
A church in Wimborne has spent the last week celebrating the Coronation with multiple events.
Minster Church held Coronation prayers for King Charles III and the country through the week, before decorating the church to host a screening of the Westminster Abbey service.
Image source, Minster Church Wimborne