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Diamond Jubilee: Thousands take part in street parties Diamond Jubilee: Street parties held across England
(about 3 hours later)
Street parties are being held across England with organisers vowing they will carry on "come rain or shine". Street parties have been held across England after organisers vowed to 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 shut across England and Wales for parties, while others held smaller get-togethers in gardens and parks.
Organisers of href="http://www.thebiglunch.com/join-in/jubilee-2012.php" >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 took 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 where about 3,000 people enjoyed the atmosphere.
Fire brigade sirens rang out to signal the event's opening where about 3,000 people are enjoying the atmosphere. The centrepoint of the party was a statue of the comedian Eric Morecambe, with tables stretching out either side.
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." Hundreds of thousands of people were in London for the href="http://www2.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/" >River Thames Jubilee Pageant.
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. More than 1,000 boats, traditional and modern, escorted the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh aboard a specially decorated royal barge down the river.
She said: "People are making the sandwiches, we are hanging out the decorations." A number of spectators viewed the pageant from what organisers said was "the highest street party in London", close to the top of Millbank Tower in Westminster.
'Highest street party' The 28th and 29th floors were decked out in bunting with hundreds of guests enjoying the Jubilee Pageant as it sailed past.
Hundreds of thousands of people are in London for the href="http://www2.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/" >River Thames Jubilee Pageant. In Battersea Park, a right royal "knees-up" was staged to mark the Jubilee.
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. Designer Wayne Hemingway helped to mastermind the eclectic festival by the Thames, that celebrated music, food, fashion and art from the past 60 years.
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. Not all travel arrangements went to plan. Many rail passengers were unable to get on packed Chiltern trains to London in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire earlier.
The 28th and 29th floors are decked out in bunting with hundreds of guests enjoying the Jubilee Pageant as it sails past. BBC Coventry and Warwickshire reporter Sian Grzeszczyk said she had seen lots of href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18315326" >disappointed people left on platforms, including about 150 at Banbury, Oxfordshire.
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.
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 including about 150 at Banbury, Oxfordshire.
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 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 picnic In addition to the main events in London, hundreds of of celebrations that took place across England included:
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 travelled down the River Severn
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  • In Oxfordshire, Top Gear presenter James May threw buns as part of a 250-year-old royal tradition
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  • Hertfordshire topped the street party list with more than in any other county in the UK
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  • In Kibworth, Leicestershire, a pub was "launched" to celebrate the pageant
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  • 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.
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 Spielplatz Naturists Centre at Bricket Wood, near St Albans, hosted 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".
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. In Hertfordshire, a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-18292258" >council bought in water from a local landscaping company so a town fountain could be switched on for the celebrations.
Polar explorer Antony Jinman, from Plymouth, will lead a six-man group to the summit of Mount Barbeau. The Coronation Fountain, a landmark in Welwyn Garden City, had been turned off due to the hosepipe ban.
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 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.
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 lined the streets in and around West Hoathly and Sharpthorne.
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.
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