MORE than 21,000 people are preparing to line the streets waving patriotic flags as Chester celebrates its ‘biggest royal party ever’.
On the weekend of June 2 and 3 tens of thousands of families, businessmen, neighbours and friends will take to streets and parks across the county to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in true Chester style.
So far more than 150 communities fromChester, Upton, Frodsham, Helsby, Malpas, Tattenhall and Ellesmere Port have applied for licences to close off streets and roads for their big lunches, parades and patriotic parties.
And as thousands of residents prepare to string up mountains of bunting and plate up jam sandwiches and sponge cakes, communities in Tilston, Christleton and Norley are preparing for some rather unusual celebrations.
Villagers in Tilston are busy making hobby horses and shoulder-held giants for a royal parade through the town, while mothers and babies in Norley are preparing for a pram race followed by a firework display.
Meanwhile, Christleton is planning to send a flotilla of boats sailing down the Shropshire Union Canal.
Plans have also been launched to close off the length of Northgate Street in Chester for a street festival where residents will party in the city centre.
So far applications including dozens of big lunches, football tournaments, down hill races, giant parades, music concerts, park parties, street parties and beacon-lighting ceremonies have been recieved by CWaC in preparation for the celebrations to mark the Jubilee.
Now despite the application to apply for road closures for street parties and festivals passing last weekend the council has said it is receiving fresh applications on a daily basis.
CWaC spokesperson Rachel Ashley said that the authority was being less strict with the application deadline.
Cllr Lynn Riley, executive member for community and environment, said: “We estimate that the events we are currently aware of will involve in excess of 21,000 people.
“I am sure we can reach the Government’s target of involving 10% of the population, which translates to a Jubilee party of 36,000 people in West Cheshire.”
