In June the country will celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee over a bumper four day weekend. From Thursday June 2 until Sunday June 5, Brits will celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 70 year reign.
Her majesty succeeded to the throne on February 6, 1952 when King George VI succumbed to lung cancer, but her coronation wasn't until June 2, 1953. The reason for the delay being the tradition of allowing an appropriate length of time to pass after a monarch dies before holding such festivals.
All across the commonwealth, celebrations to mark the first British Monarch to reach a Platinum Jubilee will take place. Festivities including street and garden parties are set to be in full swing throughout the long-weekend and on June 2 at 9:15pm, more than 1,500 beacons across the country will be lit.
What is the origin of the street party?
Street parties have been a staple of British culture for a long time, with the tradition seemingly beginning in 1919 with 'Peace Teas' - held as a treat mainly for children in those times of hardship - as many children were poor and orphaned after the Great War and 1918/19 global flu epidemic. From then on street parties developed and to this day residents continue to organise them for national days of celebration - with about 5,000 occurring in 2016 to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday.
How do you throw a street party?
For those of you wondering how to throw your own street party, this is what you need to know. You need to plan early if you want it to run smoothly. Share out the jobs among residents, ensuring one person does not take on the entire load.
Do we need a licence or insurance?
Organising a street party is a lot simpler than most people realise. For one thing, you do not need a licence providing your street party is held solely for residents and neighbours and is not too big, there is not any loud amplified music and no alcohol is being sold.
That being said, some councils may require you to complete an application form. Find your local council here.
Can we close the road?
Yes, you can. If you need a temporary road closure, get in touch with your council at least six weeks in advance.
Your first port of call should be either the council's highways, licensing, events or communities team. According to the Street Party website, the temporary traffic regulation order and road signs can be waived for a few hours if the event is being held in a cul-de-sac or close with a dead end and no through traffic.
Government guidance for holding Jubilee street events states: "If councils really need more information, they will contact organisers, but they are expected to take a ‘light touch’ approach. If your council asks for excessive information, you should challenge them."
What is a street meet?
A street meet is a party without closing your road. Maybe you live on a road which cannot be closed, or perhaps you left it too late to contact your local council.
Whatever the reason is, do not worry, for a street meet is the next best thing to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Providing residents are happy with the arrangement, pick a spot on your street to have your get-together, whether it be a driveway, garden, parking area or end of a cul-de-sac.
What you need to remember if you do not close the road is to keep children safe from any passing vehicles and ensure you are courteous to other pedestrians by not obstructing the pavement.
Do I need to fill in any council forms to throw a street meet?
The short answer is no. As street meets take place on private land you are not required to fill in any paperwork.
Find out more about street meets here.
What is The Big Jubilee Lunch and when is it?
To coincide with the Platinum Jubilee, The Big Jubilee Lunch will take place on Sunday June 5. Since 2009, The Big Lunch has encouraged communities to celebrate their connections and get to know each other better.
The first Big Jubilee Lunch took place in 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and will now take place again this year to celebrate her majesty's Platinum Jubilee.
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