Smethwick community centre preparing for coronation day to remember

The Dorothy Parkes Centre, Church Road, will be screening King Charles's Coronation and laying on a celebratory lunch with live entertainment.

Chief executive officer Robert Bruce said: "Following on from hosting Platinum Jubilee celebrations and a screening of the Queen's funeral last year we are delighted to be marking another historic royal occasion.

"Thanks to a grant from Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations Vision 2030 Micro Grant the tickets are subsidised and just cost £10, we have a capacity of 120."

The event, on Saturday, May 6, starts at 10.30am and will run until 4.30pm and the music will be provided by a ukulele band.

Mr Bruce added: "The events are open to all and we want to help make memories and bring people of all ages, and cultures together."

The Dorothy Parkes Centre, which opened in 2000, is a safe place of welcome and opportunity to the local and wider community and is open seven days a week.

The centre, which is named after a 17th Century heiress who left land and money for "the wellbeing of the people of Smethwick", hosts various groups, classes, and activities and aims to improve physical health, mental health, obesity, social isolation, low educational attainment, poverty and unemployment.

The coronation event is being held in conjunction with Smethwick Heritage Centre.

The Friends of Smethwick Heritage Centre posted on Facebook: "This will be a very special event. So come and join us for full coverage of the Coronation, followed by a celebratory lunch, with live entertainment to round off a super day.

"This is especially suitable if you maybe live alone and would like to be in the company of like-minded people who will all enjoy this momentous day."

For tickets for the coronation event phone 0121 558 2998 or visit the centre's Facebook page.