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Diamond Jubilee: Thousands prepare for street parties Diamond Jubilee: Thousands prepare for street parties
(40 minutes later)
Organisers have vowed street parties will go ahead "come rain or shine".Organisers have vowed street parties will go ahead "come rain or shine".
Rain and grey conditions have started the day across much of the UK with BBC Weather forecasters correctly predicting the cloudy and cool day. Rain and grey conditions have started the day across much of the UK with BBC Weather forecasters correctly predicting a cloudy and cool day.
In Chapel Allerton, in Leeds, street party organiser Matt Tamplin said they had experienced rain at parties before and it would not put them off.In Chapel Allerton, in Leeds, street party organiser Matt Tamplin said they had experienced rain at parties before and it would not put them off.
He said: "We'll carry on, we've got two big marquees and a few umbrellas so we'll be fine."He said: "We'll carry on, we've got two big marquees and a few umbrellas so we'll be fine."
Almost 9,500 road closure applications have been submitted across England and Wales with others planning smaller get-togethers in gardens and parks.Almost 9,500 road closure applications have been submitted across England and Wales with others planning smaller get-togethers in gardens and parks.
Meet the neighbours
Organisers of the Big Jubilee Lunch are also hoping millions of people will get together with neighbours and friends to share food at parties and picnics.Organisers of the Big Jubilee Lunch are also hoping millions of people will get together with neighbours and friends to share food at parties and picnics.
And hundreds of thousands of people are expected at the River Thames pageant. And hundreds of thousands of people are expected at the River Thames Jubilee Pageant.
In London at high water (about 14:00 BST) more than 1,000 boats, traditional and modern, will escort the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh aboard a specially decorated royal barge down the river.In London at high water (about 14:00 BST) more than 1,000 boats, traditional and modern, will escort the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh aboard a specially decorated royal barge down the river.
Meet the neighbours
In Battersea Park a right royal "knees-up" will be staged to mark the Jubilee.In Battersea Park a right royal "knees-up" will be staged to mark the Jubilee.
Designer Wayne Hemingway has helped to mastermind the eclectic festival that will celebrate music, food, fashion and art from the past 60 years by the River Thames.Designer Wayne Hemingway has helped to mastermind the eclectic festival that will celebrate music, food, fashion and art from the past 60 years by the River Thames.
The day-long festival will also feature a village green, 1952 bandstand tea dance, outdoor cinema and Diamond Geezer pop-up pub.The day-long festival will also feature a village green, 1952 bandstand tea dance, outdoor cinema and Diamond Geezer pop-up pub.
'Why are we waiting'
Acts performing include 80s ska group The Selecter and indie rockers Noisettes, while sounds of yesteryear will be provided by all-female swing band The Bombshellettes along with other 40s and 50s-style big bands.Acts performing include 80s ska group The Selecter and indie rockers Noisettes, while sounds of yesteryear will be provided by all-female swing band The Bombshellettes along with other 40s and 50s-style big bands.
But the event did not get off to a strong start after problems with the scanners used to check tickets meant people were delayed getting into the park.
Hundreds of frustrated royal fans sang "Why are we waiting?" as they queued up outside the festival.
Prime Minister David Cameron will join his staff and guests for a Big Jubilee Lunch party in Downing Street.Prime Minister David Cameron will join his staff and guests for a Big Jubilee Lunch party in Downing Street.
The street outside the official London home of prime ministers will also host charities who have a royal patron or are supporters of the Lunch.The street outside the official London home of prime ministers will also host charities who have a royal patron or are supporters of the Lunch.
Peter Stewart, director of the Big Jubilee Lunch, said: "We're thrilled Downing Street is hosting this lunch for people who are active in bringing communities together, which is what the Big Lunch is all about."Peter Stewart, director of the Big Jubilee Lunch, said: "We're thrilled Downing Street is hosting this lunch for people who are active in bringing communities together, which is what the Big Lunch is all about."
But many people are facing worries they may not make it to the capital after they were unable to get on to packed Chiltern trains in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. But many people are facing worries they may not make it to the capital after they were unable to get on packed Chiltern trains in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire.
BBC Coventry and Warwickshire reporter Sian Grzeszczyk said she had seen lots of disappointed people left on platforms.BBC Coventry and Warwickshire reporter Sian Grzeszczyk said she had seen lots of disappointed people left on platforms.
She said: "I'm on the first train to leave Birmingham this morning, there's been at least 50+ people left on each of the platforms at Dorridge, Warwick, and Leamington Spa.She said: "I'm on the first train to leave Birmingham this morning, there's been at least 50+ people left on each of the platforms at Dorridge, Warwick, and Leamington Spa.
"Some very unhappy people wearing red white and blue left behind hoping they'll be able to get on the next train. Should more trains have been put on today?""Some very unhappy people wearing red white and blue left behind hoping they'll be able to get on the next train. Should more trains have been put on today?"
Cancelled event
She added at least 150 people had been unable to get on to the train at Banbury.She added at least 150 people had been unable to get on to the train at Banbury.
In addition to the main events in London a number of celebrations will be taking place across England. And in Grimbsy an event was cancelled because of the bad weather.
Shropshire will host its own river party in Shrewsbury when up to 30 boats, decked out with flags and horns, travel down the River Severn. The Waltham Windmill Preservation Society were set to hold a Diamond Jubilee fun day but said it would be rearranged for a future date.
In Oxfordshire Top Gear presenter James May will be helping to throw buns as part of a 250-year-old royal tradition. In addition to the main events in London a number of celebrations will be taking place across England:
May was asked to help come up with a contraption to fire buns from the roof of Abingdon's county hall from 18:00 BST as part of his TV show Man Lab.
  • Shropshire will host its own river party in Shrewsbury when up to 30 boats, decked out with flags and horns, travel down the River Severn.
    •
  • In Oxfordshire Top Gear presenter James May will be helping to throw buns as part of a 250-year-old royal tradition.
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  • Hertfordshire will top the street party list with more planned than in any other county in the UK after residents requested 451 road closures for events.
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  • In Kibworth, Leicestershire, a pub will be "launched" to celebrate the pageant.
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  • In Worcester residents are planning a reunion of people who took part in a party to celebrate the Queen's Coronation.
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Pub Ahoy
The first bun throwing event was held in the town to mark King George III's coronation in 1761 and the town has been flinging currant buns to mark royal and national events ever since.
Hertfordshire will top the street party list with more planned than in any other county in the UK after residents requested 451 road closures for events.
Thousands of revellers are expected to attend Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Skipton, North Yorkshire.
The town, which has a population of about 15,000, is expecting more than 10,000 to attend the event on the High Street.
In Kibworth, Leicestershire, a pub will be "launched" to celebrate the pageant.
Landlord Andrew Southerden has transformed the Coach and Horses into the HMS Coach and Horses complete with lifeboats and portholes.
In Worcester residents are planning a reunion of people who took part in a party to celebrate the Queen's Coronation.
Sandra Smith, from Northwick, is hoping to reunite as many people as possible from a photo taken in 1953.
Homes destroyed
In Gloucestershire, a street party will be held for residents whose homes were damaged in a gas explosion.In Gloucestershire, a street party will be held for residents whose homes were damaged in a gas explosion.
One home was destroyed and two others had to be demolished in Rosehill Street, Cheltenham, following the blast on 10 May.One home was destroyed and two others had to be demolished in Rosehill Street, Cheltenham, following the blast on 10 May.
Eleven other houses were damaged with some families told it would be a year before they could return.Eleven other houses were damaged with some families told it would be a year before they could return.
Further afield, a Diamond Jubilee tea party thought to be the remotest in the world will take place later in the Arctic.Further afield, a Diamond Jubilee tea party thought to be the remotest in the world will take place later in the Arctic.
Polar explorer Antony Jinman, from Plymouth, will lead a six-man group to the summit of Mount Barbeau.Polar explorer Antony Jinman, from Plymouth, will lead a six-man group to the summit of Mount Barbeau.
Once at the top the group will celebrate the Jubilee with tea and cake, fly its Explorer's Club flag and send a message to the Queen.Once at the top the group will celebrate the Jubilee with tea and cake, fly its Explorer's Club flag and send a message to the Queen.
In Hertfordshire a council is buying in water from a local landscaping company so that a town fountain can be switched on for Jubilee celebrations.In Hertfordshire a council is buying in water from a local landscaping company so that a town fountain can be switched on for Jubilee celebrations.
The Coronation Fountain, a landmark in Welwyn Garden City, had to be turned off due to the hosepipe ban.The Coronation Fountain, a landmark in Welwyn Garden City, had to be turned off due to the hosepipe ban.
However, the council is now paying £450 to fill it up again, so that the town looks its best for key 2012 events.However, the council is now paying £450 to fill it up again, so that the town looks its best for key 2012 events.
The water is not suitable for drinking so is permitted under the hosepipe ban regulations.The water is not suitable for drinking so is permitted under the hosepipe ban regulations.
How are you celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee? Share your stories with us. Tweet using the hashtag #bbcjubilee or fill in the form below if you are willing to be contacted by the BBC.How are you celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee? Share your stories with us. Tweet using the hashtag #bbcjubilee or fill in the form below if you are willing to be contacted by the BBC.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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