PETERSFIELD people are being urged to take to the streets to celebrate the QueenÕs Golden Jubilee later this summer.

Members of the Petersfield golden jubilee committee want to see as many people as possible organising street parties in Petersfield and are offering help and advice to those who decide to go ahead.

Paul Molloy, chairman of the committee, said this week: ÒStreet parties still remain the most traditional and popular way to celebrate special national events.Ó

He said a street party simply meant closing off a street, setting up tables and chairs and providing plenty of food, drink and simple entertainment.

ÒItÕs worth liaising with adjoining streets to see if a combined effort would be better or maybe just invite friends and neighbours from adjoining streets to join in your party. Either way, street parties are universally enjoyed by absolutely everyone and are by no means meant just for children,Ó he said.

He urged townspeople to begin preparation for the celebrations now as all street parties had to be registered with the district council six weeks before the event.

East Hampshire District Council, he said, had waived normal fees for closing off roads and the jubilee committee would meet the additional costs of public liability insurance.

ÒThis means that with the administrative burdens taken care of, streets are free to organise and enjoy a wonderful community occasion to help things along.Ó

Organising committees should be set up, he said, and he reminded townspeople that basic equipment such as tables and chairs could be borrowed from schools and church and village halls if they could not be found from homes in the street.

The golden jubilee committee would register all street parties Òen blocÓ once there was a full list, he added, and stressed that April 19 was the last registration day.

Contact Peter Fisher on 01730-264602 or Paul Molloy on 01730-266578 for more details. For flags, bunting and other jubilee mementos contact Clive Midson on 02392 340128.