Woking's Town Square officially renamed Jubilee Square

A REVITALISED square in Woking has been given an official name change to mark the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Town Square, as it has been known to thousands of residents and shoppers in Woking, was officially changed to Jubilee Square on November 3.

The square has been given a facelift with a mosaic, a sculpture as well as new street furniture, trees and lighting.

Last Saturday, visitors and shoppers joined civic dignitaries for the unveiling of a plaque to mark the official opening of Jubilee Square.

The High Sheriff of Surrey Karin Sehmer was joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Woking Michael and Anne Smith, local MP Jonathan Lord, and former Paralympic basketball player, Ade Adepitan MBE, in unveiling the Jubilee Stone, a solid granite engraved plaque.

The Mayor of Woking was joined by former Paralympian, Ade Adepitan MBE, to reveal Jubilee Square's first piece of public art, 'Winning Shot' by Guildford-based artist, Christine Charlesworth. Located on the corner between Café Rouge and Woking Library, the bronze sculpture captures Ade's strength and determination as a player, together with the lightness and manoeuvrability of his wheelchair.

The mayoral party also had the opportunity to view the newly installed Peacock Walk photo mosaics, two giant mosaics made up of over 10,000 tiny images depicting Borough residents' memories of the cultural, sporting and Jubilee-themed events and activities that took place throughout the Borough during 2012. The centrepiece image, taken by local resident Adrian Meredith, is of Team GB's Men's Olympic Cycling Team whizzing past St Johns Church in West Byfleet.

Speaking after the ceremony,  councillor Smith said: "I was delighted that so many visitors and shoppers joined us in celebrating the opening and renaming of Town Square to Jubilee Square, commemorating the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II. 

"The new-look Square has been transformed into an exciting, vibrant public space. It features high quality York Stone paving, improved street furniture and lighting, semi-mature trees and low level planting, which looks stunning and something that local people should be proud of."

Adding further pageantry to the event were local children who took centre stage, parading along a red carpet, competing in a royal fancy dress competition. In a closely fought competition, youngsters Isabella Le Marchant Dane and Aruba Iqbal were crowned 'Queen's of Woking' for the day and received family tickets to see local panto, Dick Whittington, at the New Victoria Theatre.

As part of the celebrations, Soroptimist International Woking and District President, Elaine Evans, and Woking Lions Club President, Bob Hill, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark their financial contribution made towards the cost of the Ornamental Pear Tree and shrubbery by Town Gate.