It’s almost time to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, and plans are afoot for some local community celebrations, fingers crossed for some sun to help enjoy the day. Check out our street party guide to help you get street wise!
Rules and regulations
Closing off your street is the first step in organising your own community celebration, and it is always best to make enquiries with your local council as soon as possible.
Some councils usually ask for at least six weeks’ notice to put in a temporary traffic regulation, but it never hurts to ask them to be flexible if pushed for time. Road closure signs and cones can also be hired directly from the council, which are inexpensive or, in most cases, completely free!
Despite what most assume, the council is also not required or encouraged to charge a fee for any road closure, and you have every right to question this if it happens. As platinum jubilee street parties are considered a one-off event, you also won’t need a risk assessment completed by the council or a license for consumption of alcohol, food, or to play music!
Stay safe
Although not a legal requirement, arranging public liability cover for your street party might make keep your everyone’s minds at ease on the big day.
But with sensible activities right outside your front doors, the risks at street parties are usually very low. In fact, no insurance claims were made at all during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, where 2 million people enjoyed street parties nationwide!
A bit of careful planning is always the simplest way to reduce risks, and agreeing that everyone should take responsibility for themselves and each other can make for a safe and fun environment.
Plan for the weather
We know that the weather is out of your control, so planning to make the most from a rainy day will ensure you can still have a wonderful time.
Ask the neighbours to share any gazebos, brollies, or other shelters which can be used from the shed, and keep aside some towels, dry clothes, and hot chocolate for kids taking part in some puddle jumping or water fights!
On a party day blessed with sunshine, make sure there’s plenty of water, sunscreen, and shade available for everyone to use.
Get fundraising
It’s not every day that you have all your street’s residents mingling together, and a fundraiser during your street party is a great way to bring everyone even closer and raise awareness for a cause close to the community’s heart such as a local hospice or youth facility. There’s no legal requirement to register a raffle, sweepstake, or tombola during the jubilee weekend, as long as the tickets are sold and winners are announced on the same day.
Decorate together
Handing out boxes of coloured chalk will quickly get people of all ages taking part in decorating the pavements and brightening up the party. Following tradition, making and hanging up bunting is also a classic way to tie everyone together. From recycled clothes, fabrics, or even tents, bunting can be made from just about anything! Adding pictures and words made from sequins, buttons, and paint will also add a creative spin to sprucing up the street.
Food for all
It might seem like a daunting task to cater for your whole street, so asking those involved to bring their own speciality dish will guarantee plenty of options that cater for everybody. While a coronation chicken sandwich, slab of Victoria sponge cake, or cheeky glass of Pimm’s remain a traditional mainstay on the table, keeping the choices freely open will show off the neighbourhood’s culinary skills and diversity.