Morecambe smashed the record for the UK’s longest ever Jubilee street party on Sunday when more than 5,000 people enjoyed a picnic along the promenade.
And across the nation thousands more defied the rain and placed tables and chairs outside their front doors with their neighbours to toast the Queen in the traditional British way.
An estimated 16,000 street parties were being held in villages, towns and cities across the UK.
In Lancashire families dressed in Union Jack hats tucked into sandwiches and cakes on 500 tables along a one and a half mile stretch of the Morecambe sea front.
Cheryl Ferdinand, 72, who had brought her own crown, said: “It is fabulous to see so many people have made the effort and so many people have dressed up.”
“I’m a big fan of the Queen and Royal Family. She is lovely.”
Mark Hilton, 68, was dressed in a Union Jack waistcoat with matching bow tie and bowler hat.
Despite the threatening grey clouds above, he said: “It is marvellous. It does not matter what the weather does. No-one is going home.”
Louise Simpson, 52, wore a huge Union Jack bow in her hair with a matching dress.
She said: “It is fantastic. It shows a great community spirit. I’m a bit of a Royalist. I do like the Queen.”
The event raised almost £5,000 for a local cancer charity and Ukrainian refugees, with picnickers paying £10 to rent a table, before filling it with their own sausage rolls, fairy cakes, snacks and drinks.
Luke Trevaskis, chief executive officer of Morecambe Borough Council, helped organise the town’s “Big Lunch” together with the Eden project.
He said: “The response has been phenomenal. It has exceeded our expectations.
“The weather forecast was not looking favourable but people were not put off. People were determined to make this event a success.
“It is not every day you can celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. It is a once in a lifetime event and people did not want to miss it.”
In Bristol, an award-winning street celebrated by handing out 3,000 Union Jack-coloured Biryanis.
St Mark’s Road in Easton was named Britain’s greatest street by the Academy of Urbanism for the way in which it brings people together.
Abdul Malik, co-chair of the St Marks Road Community group, added: “We all might have a difference of opinion when it comes to the monarchy, but one thing that is truly amazing about it is the 70 years of service of the Queen, it is inspiring.”
In Quedgeley, Gloucestershire, hundreds of people lined the streets to see pupils, cadets, and vintage cars take part in a parade honouring the Monarch.
The village of Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, came together to celebrate under a huge marquee and hundreds of revellers attended a huge outdoor picnic in Market Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In Newcastle-upon-Tyne dozens of residents of Clipstone Avenue in Walker came together for a jubilee street party.
And in Alder Road, Failsworth, Greater Manchester, home-owners pulled on their waterproofs to defy the downpour
Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom held an afternoon tea and a 1km long Big Jubilee Lunch, stretching between the Berkshire villages of Goring and Streatley, was held on a Bridge over the River Thames.
Edinburgh Castle was the backdrop for a picnic in West Princes Street Gardens, where the Platinum Jubilee Pageant broadcast live from London on big screens.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “The Platinum Jubilee is a truly historic event and it was important to find a fitting tribute here in the capital for those who wish to come together and celebrate the occasion.”
Around the globe around 600 street parties honouring the Queen took place in countries including Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa.
Crowds gather in disaster-hit Aberfan
Hundreds of devoted royal well-wishers gethered to enjoy the Platinum Jubilee in Aberfan.
The close-knit Welsh mountain village has been synonymous with The Queen since the terrible disaster in October, 1966.
On that awful day an entire generation was almost wiped out when 150,000 tonnes of coal waste slid down the hillside before engulfing Pantglas Junior School.
Prince Philip first travelled to Aberfan without the Queen a day after the tragedy and it is thought his wife stayed away so she did not distract from the rescue efforts.
But when she did arrive it was noted how she silently comforted a woman for half an hour after learning she had lost seven relatives.
Her Majesty, 96, visited the Welsh mining village on October 29 1966, eight days after a devastating avalanche of slurry killed 144 people, including 116 children.
She has visited many times since and has won a warm place in the heart of locals who turned out in force to honour her.
It was all the more remarkable as the event, which was supposed to be an open air festival, nearly didn’t go ahead at all due to bad weather.
Festival organiser Janett Bickley, 64, even damaged her ankle trying to stop a runaway marquee in high winds.
But it wasn’t enough to stop her or other party goers.
Janett even turned up in regal attire wearing a ball gown, tiara and even high heels for the occasion.
All the time while carefully escorting a cardboard cutout of Her Majesty.
Janett told The Mirror: “Nothing was going to stop us celebrating the Jubilee.
“The Queen has a very special connection with all of us here, make no mistake about that.
“We truly respect her and wish her only the best after she was here during our darkest hours.
“A lot of people in Aberfan have actually met her, I have a few times, so the idea a bit of wind and rain was going to stop us was nonsense.
“I would really like this day to be known as the day we got the community back together after Covid, seeing faces we haven’t seen for a long time.
“We just want everyone to go away with a smile feeling happy.”
The Jubilee event, which involves singers, dancers and other performers from across Wales was saved at the last minute by the local leisure centre.
It was packed with happy revellers of all ages, many in fancy dress, enjoying the festivities.
Among them were friends Kerry Cloke and Linda O’Shea.
Wearing matching Union Jack t-shirts they said a little bit of rain was never going to put them off.
Kerry, 58, said: “We weren’t going to allow the weather to cancel anything and we’re just really happy to be here to celebrate the Jubilee.
Linda, 51, echoed her friends sentiments saying: “I really wanted to come and join in so we could get all the village together.
“We had a street party yesterday too so obviously I’m loving the Jubilee.
“There’s a real affection for The Queen here and we like Royalty so we’re going to make sure it’s celebrated.”
Tanya Stevens, 55, has met The Queen twice on her visits to Aberfan and is very proud she had a picture taken alongside her just like her mum who first met The Queen back in 1973.
Now the manger of Trinity Child care centre in the village Tanya says she was proud to be one of the organisers of the event.
She said: “Today has been amazing especially when you take into account the weather.
“Everybody has been so supportive and pulled together.
“I was looking at the crowds on The Mall and thinking ooh we won’t be able to compete with that but I think we’ve done ourselves proud.
“I was quite nervous when I met The Queen.
“We had to follow protocol and curtsey while offering your hand out and let me tell you that’s not easy if you’re someone with no coordination.
“But she was lovely and asked about the Aberfan community project and how we were all getting on it was great.
“It was great to get a picture with her because that meant both myself and my mother had pictures with The Queen which was a proud moment, quite emotional for us.
“I was born in Aberfan, live in Aberfan and work in Aberfan, I’m a real Aberfan girl and The Queen can be anytime she wants, we wish her absolutely all the best.”
