FIERY beacons, patriotic flags, floral sculptures and one giant party will make Helsby's royal celebrations the best party the village has seen in generations.
For months members of a specially formed Diamond Jubilee celebration committee have been working around the clock to make the celebrations a day 'that no one will ever forget'.
On June 2 the streets of the village will be strung with red, white and blue bunting as thousands of residents dressed in old fashioned outfits and fancy dress from across decades join a giant parade to celebrate the Queen's 60th anniversary.
Children, adults, and pensioners will jump onboard specially decorated floats and follow the Karamba Samba Marching Band as the procession winds from Helsby High School, before finishing in a 'festival village' at Helsby Community Sports Club.
Organisers hope that the parade and party, which will see beer, craft, food, local trade stalls and fun-filled fairground rides fill the grounds of the sport centre, will 'unite' all corners of the community.
Cllr Terry O'Neil, who chairs the specially formed committee, said that he hoped the celebrations would be the 'biggest party Helsby has ever seen' and encouraged residents to get involved in any way they can.
“The last time we had a parade in the village was a couple of years ago for Remembrance Day,” said Cllr O'Neil, who has been approaching members of the Scouts, Guides, WI, and other village groups to get involved with the parade and local authority councillors to help with the cost.
“We managed to get the Cheshire Police Band to lead the parade through Helsby. It was fantastic to have them coming through the village with everyone leaning out of their windows. It really brought the community together, and this time it should be even bigger and more memorable than ever.”
On the day of the parade there will also be a celebration meal for elderly residents in the village followed by a slide show showing scenes of Helsby from across the decades.
And on top of the parade villagers will be able to join in the celebrations all week long as the parish council, running club and village churches hold a range of activities and events, including a downhill run.
But plans to put on performances of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets in Helsby Quarry have fallen through after councillors were unable to secure performers from Kingsley Players because they were fully booked.
“It is a shame that they are tied up because it was an excellent idea, but we are still hoping that it is something that we could look into again in the summer,” said Cllr O'Neil.
