We'll be dancing in the streets

THE Queen's Golden Jubilee promises to be a celebration like no other. But if you haven't been invited to a party at the Palace, organise a right royal knees-up in your own backyard.

Street parties are great fun for all ages and lots of communities will no doubt be organising one for the Golden Jubilee weekend which runs from June 1-4.

Adam Toms of the Golden Jubilee Office says it is hoped that millions of people will join in the festivities. ''The Queen hopes the celebrations will reach into every community and involve everyone no matter what their background, age, culture, ethnic origin, religion or other status.''

The whole of the summer is a good time for a jubilee street party - though most will be held on Monday, June 3 to coincide with the lighting of beacons and bonfires across the country. Find out where and when to light your beacon at www.goldenjubileesummerparty.co.uk

In 1977, to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, street parties were held all over the UK. In London, 5,000 parties were held and it wasn't just confined to the capital as towns up and down the country joined in the fun - in Dagenham alone, 230 streets were closed for street parties during the year.

Twenty-five years on, a Jubilee street party may seem old fashioned, but Toms believes a sense of community is as relevant now as when the Queen came to the throne in 1952.

''The Jubilee is not something stuffy and old. We all live in Britain and it is a celebration of Britain today as much as anything else.''

Get everyone involved by talking to local community groups about organising different events leading up to the Jubilee weekend. For example, a sewing circle may like to make banners and quilts, an environmental group could organise a tree planting, local artists could donate a sculpture or exhibition and a writing group could hold a poetry competition.

Involving the whole street means plenty of ideas are likely to surface to make it an event to remember. Organise tournaments for sports fans, cookery demonstrations for food enthusiasts, street theatre for dramatists and talent shows for any potential pop idols.

The party doesn't have to be traditional - different communities may prefer to host a ceilidh or a formal lantern procession. Some streets are known to be organising a carnival-style event with dancers and a parade is the perfect opportunity to celebrate different cultures.

''It is less formal than 25 years ago and people can celebrate in their own way,'' says Toms. ''It is about diversity and people celebrating what they like about Britain today.''

In the evening, music is the best way to liven up the atmosphere, but remember to cater for different tastes by considering local rock bands as well as a traditional brass band. Fireworks and bonfires are popular with all ages, but make sure you have sufficient safety measures. Involve young people by inviting ideas from local youth groups.

As Toms says: ''Everybody likes to party, young people more than most.''

Anyone can organise a street party, even if the street is not community-minded. The Golden Jubilee is a great motivation for communities. A street party is a perfect excuse for getting to know your neighbours.''

Many communities have already organised their street parties. The Queen's Golden Jubilee Website at www.goldenjubilee.gov.uk has had seven-and-a-half million hits to date, 32,000 advice packages for street parties have been sent out and the public inquiry line on 0845 000 2002 is fielding 200 calls a day.

Toms predicts all sorts of ad hoc and impromptu celebrations. ''We are expecting the bulk of celebrations to be finalised a month-and-a-half before the Jubilee.''

So, if you still want to organise a party it is not too late.

TIPS FOR A TOP STREET PARTY

* Try to involve people of all ages and types to take part in the planning and running of the party rather than leaving it to a few. Each person can then get their neighbours to help and in this way lots of people eventually take ownership of its success.

* Inform all your neighbours and discuss where in the road would be best to hold the party. You will never please everybody but make sure that you have as many as possible on your side.

* You must get approval from your local council and inform the police, fire brigade and ambulance service. You should arrange your tables so that emergency vehicles can gain access. From the police point of view, obviously the quieter your road, the easier it will be to close it for a few hours.

* On the day, tie bunting to telegraph poles, streetlights and trees and tie helium-filled balloons to the bunting.

* Some councils do not permit barbecues on a highway or pavement, so use someone's front garden.

* The council may ask you to take out public liability insurance. This can be difficult to obtain and costly. But it should be unnecessary because your council can obtain its own comprehensive insurance from Zurich Municipal for just £157 to cover any number of street parties in their area of up to 500 people. This premium would also cover barbecues in the street, the safe lighting of bonfires and properly organised firework displays. They can also get cover against bad weather resulting in the cancellation of your party for as little as £175 for all parties in your area.

* Playing music also requires permission if equipment is sited on the public highway. Your council should be able to grant this permission but if not, put the loudspeakers, amplifier and CD player in the back of an estate car with the tailgate open and park it on someone's driveway with their permission. The householder can also provide a power socket for the evening.