Chester residents given grant to celebrate Queen’s diamond jubilee

Dec 22 2011 Chester Chronicle

WEST Cheshire residents will be able to celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee without running up expensive bills.

Two initiatives to help communities planning a party to keep costs down were unveiled at the full meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Council by the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs.

He announced the authority would be waiving its road closure fee for street parties celebrating the Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday, June 3.

And to help pay for their Big Lunch, the Lord Lieutenant revealed West Cheshire residents can apply for a share of an £18,000 grant.

The fund from the Cheshire Community Foundation is thanks to a gift from the Duke of Westminster’s charitable fund, the Westminster Foundation.

A total of £50,000 is being made available to communities within the Cheshire area, which covers Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington.

The first 180 parties to register in West Cheshire will receive £100 to cover costs such as insurance, food, decorations and renting trestle tables.

The Lord Lieutenant said: “The aim of the Big Lunch is to get communities together and for people to get to know their neighbours.

“The venue can be wherever you want; the food can be whatever you fancy.”

The Lord Lieutenant outlined the national plans for the four-day diamond jubilee weekend, which will see the late May bank holiday moved to Monday, June 4, with an extra Jubilee bank holiday on Tuesday, June 5.

Further information about the Big Jubilee Lunch and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/ diamondjubilee.