A SPRING of celebrations for the Queen’s 90th birthday will reach a climax next month with a string of street parties across the area across two weekends in June.

The fun began way back on April 21. A number of litter picks have already taken place under the banner ‘Clean for the Queen’. Now events are gathering pace. And soon it will be game on:

ODIHAM

The street party in Odiham on Sunday, June 12, is already sold out.

The plans were published last month. Construction of a big birthday cake is already under way following an open competition to design it, and the excitement is now building.

HOOK

Organisers have now released the details of a celebratory garden party in Hook – also on June 12.

The gates will be thrown open at Elizabeth Hall in Raven Road from 2-5pm. Entry will be free.

Party-goers are invited to bring their own picnic, or pre-order and collect food from Hartlett’s Café. The owner, Jen, is cooking up what promises to be plenty of ‘scrumptious ideas’.

The whole community is working together, including three of the local churches, youth groups, the Scouts and Guides, all of the nearby schools, Hook Parish Council, as well as both the district and county councils.

The Scouts and Guides will be serving hot drinks, and there will also be entertainment and games for all ages.

The organisers are compiling a playlist of music from down the decades, so there will be something for everyone who feels like a bit of jiving and boogying, or rocking and rolling.

Guests are asked to dress in red, white and blue to make it a patriotic and colour co-ordinated affair. There will also be a ceremonial cutting of the cake for the Queen, and some singing especially for the occasion. The local MP, Ranil Jayawardena, will be popping in at around 4pm.

Parking is likely to be tight, so guests should expect to leave the car some distance away and walk down to the party. To reserve a free ticket, visit hookroyalparty.org.

HARTLEY WINTNEY

The parish council has set a slightly different date, Saturday June 18, for the celebrations in Hartley Wintney, to avoid a clash with the neighbouring villages.

The Queen’s birthday picnic will be held on the Hartley Wintney Commons, near St John’s church from 12-3pm. The council advises parishners to bring their own picnic and drinks. A barbecue will also be fired up by St John’s.

Admission will be free. The organisers are planning a host of children’s craft activities. And there will be organised games on the common.