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Diamond Jubilee: Thousands begin street parties Diamond Jubilee: Thousands take part in street parties
(about 1 hour later)
Street parties are under way across England with organisers vowing they will carry on "come rain or shine". Street parties are being held across England with organisers vowing they will carry on "come rain or shine".
BBC Weather forecasters correctly predicted cloudy and cool conditions with rain across much of the UK.BBC Weather forecasters correctly predicted cloudy and cool conditions with rain across much of the UK.
In Chapel Allerton, Leeds, street party organiser Matt Tamplin said they had experienced rain at parties before and it would not put them off.In Chapel Allerton, 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 roads are shut across England and Wales for parties, while others are holding smaller get-togethers in gardens and parks.Almost 9,500 roads are shut across England and Wales for parties, while others are holding smaller get-togethers in gardens and parks.
Organisers of the Big Jubilee Lunch predicted millions of people would get together with neighbours and friends to share food at parties and picnics.Organisers of the Big Jubilee Lunch predicted millions of people would get together with neighbours and friends to share food at parties and picnics.
The rain did not put people off in Morecambe, Lancashire, where a Jubilee party is taking place along a mile-and-a-half of the promenade.The rain did not put people off in Morecambe, Lancashire, where a Jubilee party is taking place along a mile-and-a-half of the promenade.
Fire brigade sirens rang out to signal the event's opening. Organiser Tricia Heath said earlier: "Fingers crossed the weather will get better, but href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18313559" >it won't stop our party." Fire brigade sirens rang out to signal the event's opening where about 3,000 people are enjoying the atmosphere.
Organiser Tricia Heath said earlier: "Fingers crossed the weather will get better, but it won't stop our party."
Hundreds of people were expected to take to the streets of Liverpool where Valerie Watson, from Toxteth, said they would not let the rain stop their plans for a party in Carter Street.Hundreds of people were expected to take to the streets of Liverpool where Valerie Watson, from Toxteth, said they would not let the rain stop their plans for a party in Carter Street.
She said: "People are making the sandwiches, we are hanging out the decorations."She said: "People are making the sandwiches, we are hanging out the decorations."
Royal 'knees-up' 'Highest street party'
Hundreds of thousands of people are in London for the River Thames Jubilee Pageant.Hundreds of thousands of people are in London for the River Thames Jubilee Pageant.
In the city, at high water, more than 1,000 boats, traditional and modern, will escort the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh aboard a specially decorated royal barge down the river. More than 1,000 boats, traditional and modern, are escorting the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh aboard a specially decorated royal barge down the river.
One vantage point is from what organisers have said is "the highest street party in London" close to the top of Millbank Tower in Westminster.
The 28th and 29th floors are decked out in bunting with hundreds of guests enjoying the Jubilee Pageant as it sails past.
In Battersea Park, a right royal "knees-up" is being staged to mark the Jubilee.In Battersea Park, a right royal "knees-up" is being staged to mark the Jubilee.
Designer Wayne Hemingway helped to mastermind the eclectic festival by the Thames that celebrates music, food, fashion and art from the past 60 years. Designer Wayne Hemingway helped to mastermind the eclectic festival by the Thames, that celebrates music, food, fashion and art from the past 60 years.
But there were problems at the start with scanners used to check tickets, meaning people were delayed getting in. Hundreds of frustrated royal fans sang "Why are we waiting?" as they queued.
Prime Minister David Cameron joined his staff and guests for a Big Jubilee Lunch party in Downing Street.
It also hosted charities who have a royal patron or are supporters of the Lunch.
Many rail passengers were unable to get on packed Chiltern trains to London in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire earlier.Many rail passengers were unable to get on packed Chiltern trains to London in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire earlier.
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 including about 150 at Banbury, Oxfordshire.
She said at least 150 people had been unable to get on to the train at Banbury, while others were left standing at other stations.
In Grimsby, two events were cancelled because of wind and rain.In Grimsby, two events were cancelled because of wind and rain.
The Waltham Windmill Preservation Society was set to hold a Diamond Jubilee fun day but said it would be rearranged for a future date.The Waltham Windmill Preservation Society was set to hold a Diamond Jubilee fun day but said it would be rearranged for a future date.
Organisers of the Asian and Cultural Mela, which was due to take place in People's Park, also called the event off.Organisers of the Asian and Cultural Mela, which was due to take place in People's Park, also called the event off.
Naked picnicNaked picnic
In addition to the main events in London, hundreds of of celebrations are taking place across England including:In addition to the main events in London, hundreds of of celebrations are taking place across England including:
  • A river party in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, where up to 30 boats decked with flags and horns travel down the River Severn.
  • In Oxfordshire, Top Gear presenter James May is helping to throw buns as part of a 250-year-old royal tradition.
  • Hertfordshire tops the street party list with more planned than in any other county in the UK.
  • In Kibworth, Leicestershire, a pub is being "launched" to celebrate the pageant.
  • Residents in Worcester are holding a reunion of people who took part in a party to celebrate the Queen's Coronation.
  • And the seaside resort of Bridlington, East Yorkshire, is attempting a penny-laying world record.
  • A river party in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, where up to 30 boats decked with flags and horns travel down the River Severn.
  • In Oxfordshire, Top Gear presenter James May is helping to throw buns as part of a 250-year-old royal tradition.
  • Hertfordshire tops the street party list with more planned than in any other county in the UK.
  • In Kibworth, Leicestershire, a pub is being "launched" to celebrate the pageant.
  • Residents in Worcester are holding a reunion of people who took part in a party to celebrate the Queen's Coronation.
  • And the seaside resort of Bridlington, East Yorkshire, is attempting a penny-laying world record.
In Gloucestershire, a street party is being held for residents whose homes were damaged in a gas explosion.In Gloucestershire, a street party is being 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.
In Hertfordshire, members at the Spieltplatz Naturists Centre at Bricket Wood, near St Albans, said despite the rain they were going to host a naked teddy "bares" picnic. In Hertfordshire, members at the Spielplatz Naturists Centre at Bricket Wood, near St Albans, hosted a naked teddy "bares" picnic.
Tina Yates, one of the directors of the centre, said although the rain had prompted some members to put on clothes, "the teddies won't be clothed".Tina Yates, one of the directors of the centre, said although the rain had prompted some members to put on clothes, "the teddies won't be clothed".
Further afield, a Diamond Jubilee tea party thought to be one of the most remote in the world will take place later in the Arctic.Further afield, a Diamond Jubilee tea party thought to be one of the most remote 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 they will celebrate with tea and cake, fly an Explorer's Club flag and send a message to the Queen.Once at the top they will celebrate with tea and cake, fly an 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 a town fountain can be switched on for the celebrations. In Hertfordshire, a council has bought in water from a local landscaping company so a town fountain can be switched on for the celebrations.
The Coronation Fountain, a landmark in Welwyn Garden City, was turned off due to the hosepipe ban.The Coronation Fountain, a landmark in Welwyn Garden City, was turned off due to the hosepipe ban.
A West Sussex village has marked the celebrations with a royal-themed scarecrow contest.A West Sussex village has marked the celebrations with a royal-themed scarecrow contest.
Up to 100 straw effigies are lining the streets in and around West Hoathly and Scarpthrone.Up to 100 straw effigies are lining the streets in and around West Hoathly and Scarpthrone.
See all the latest Diamond Jubilee news and features at bbc.co.uk/diamondjubileeSee all the latest Diamond Jubilee news and features at bbc.co.uk/diamondjubilee
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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