Ready to celebrate the golden jubilee

To help readers mark the 50th year of the Queen's reign, The Northern Echo has compiled a guide to the pick of jubilee events in your neighbourhood over the coming days.

Festivities across the North-East and North Yorkshire range from children's parties and line dancing events to exhibitions of Royal memorabilia and fancy dress parades.

Parties run from today right through to next weekend.

Religious services include a jubilee evensong service at 3.30pm on Sunday, at Durham Cathedral led by the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend John Arnold, and featuring a sermon read by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull.

l While we have made every effort to ensure the details are accurate, it is advisable to check with organisers before setting off.

TODAY

Darlington: Branksome School is holding a red, white and blue non-uniform afternoon, which will include a competition for the best outfits. The timetable is to be suspended and each tutor group is organising a different fundraising event with the aim of raising £1,000 towards the school's bid for specialist status.

DARLINGTON: Reid Street School is holding a full programme of events. A school assembly will be followed by a "guess the jubilee teacher" competition where children have to identify staff from photographs taken in 1977. There will be a jubilee party in the playground this afternoon.

DARLINGTON: Marks and Spencer is having a full week of jubilee themed displays and competitions, with prizes including food hampers, jubilee cake and a menu fit for a Queen.

HURWORTH: All Saints' Church and Hurworth Flower Club have worked with pupils to stage a flower festival and art show. Work by pupils from Hurworth Junior School, Hurworth House School and Hurworth Comprehensive School will be on display in the church centre. A preview evening is being held today. Tickets are available on (01325) 720362. The church will be open from 11am to 5pm tomorrow; 1pm to 5pm on Sunday; and 11am to 4pm on Monday. Admission is £2.

TOMORROW

CROFT: A tea party will be held in the village hall, followed by a music and flower festival at Croft Church tomorrow.

DARLINGTON: A mini sports day is held at Asda, in Whinbush Way, including three-legged race, egg and spoon race and sack race, from 10.30am. A colouring competition will be judged at 2pm and fancy dress judging at 2.30pm.

DARLINGTON: The Darlington Scottish Country Dance Group will celebrate the jubilee during its annual summer end-of- season dance in the Central Hall, Dolphin Centre. The first part of the event will feature dances to music associated with the Queen and other Royals.

Heighington: Street parties on West and East Green, Heighington, will take place from 8pm to 11.30pm.

HURWORTH: A jubilee celebration will be held at Manor Field between 2.30pm and 5pm.

SADBERGE: The Village Hall Association is holding a jubilee fun day with Maypole dancing, a clown and more. The event starts at 2pm, with free admission.

Sunday

DARLINGTON: A celebration will take place at Bowen Road Hall, from 10am to 11pm.

DARLINGTON: Walworth Castle Hotel is holding a party with fancy dress for children. Races and games, a bouncy castle, and a raffle and tombola will be held, with proceeds going to the Butterwick Children's Hospice, in Stockton.

DARLINGTON: St James the Great Church, on Albert Hill, is holding a jubilee Mass at 10am, followed by a buffet lunch and party in the church hall. Further details from Father Ian Grieves on (01325) 465980.

DARLINGTON: The Conservative Association will be holding a barbecue to mark the jubilee, at Stressholme Golf Club, at 6pm. For details call (01325) 462283.

Monday

CROFT: A Pimms and wine party is held in the village hall, followed by a 50/50 dance at the Croft Spa Hotel in the evening.

DARLINGTON: There will be a jubilee ball at Hall Garth Hotel, starting at 7pm. The event includes a three-course carvery, and dancing to the Pocket Orchestra. Tickets cost £20, from the Reverend Robin Walter, on (01740) 630810.

DARLINGTON: Redmarshall and Bishopton School grounds will host a street party from noon to 5pm.

DARLINGTON: Red Hall School and Red Hall Community Centre are holding a jubilee party, from 10am to 11pm.

DARLINGTON: A jubilee party is being held in Thornfield Road from 10am to midnight.

DARLINGTON: A children's street party, followed by a barbecue for adults, will be held at St William's Church hall, in Barton Street, from 1.30pm. The event has been organised for residents of Devonshire Road, Gloucester Place, Essex Way, Cornwall Avenue and Somerset Grove.

DARLINGTON: A street party and summer fair is being held at Darlington Manor Residential Home, Falmer Road, from 1pm to 11pm. A bouncy castle, Union Jack face painting, fancy dress, arts and crafts competitions, and treasure hunts will be held. For details call (01325) 361166.

DARLINGTON: Residents of Wederley Close and Oakfield Lodge are holding a street party from 1pm to 5pm, including food, games, fancy dress and raffles.

HEIGHINGTON:A street party on West and East Green, Heighington, near Darlington, takes place from 11.45am to 5.30pm.

NEASHAM: The Neasham village picnic will be held on the green beside the river. Residents are invited to take their own food and drink. There will be games for children and music spanning five decades for the adults.

STAINDROP: A jubilee celebration is being held in Raby Park, Staindrop. Marquees, teas, dancing, a barbecue and children's sports will be held, with jubilee medals available for youngsters taking part in the sports. For more information contact Elizabeth Steele on (01833) 660632 or Virginia Trotter on (01833) 660253.

Tuesday

CROFT: Celebrations start with a thanksgiving service at Croft Church. In the afternoon there will be a street party in South Parade, followed by a fancy dress parade, before a fireworks display completes the celebration.

DARLINGTON: A jubilee celebration will take place in St Augustine's Church grounds, from 1.30pm to 10pm.