Jubilee party time

Celebrations begin as towns and villages mark the Queen’s historic milestone

Celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee have begun as our towns and villages mark an unprecedented milestone this weekend.

As the Express went to press yesterday (Thursday), the party was starting in Windsor with an ox roast in Bachelors Acre and fun and entertainment as we mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

Her Majesty was also due to light the principal Platinum Jubilee beacon from Windsor Castle last night as more than 3,000 beacons were lit across the UK and other territories.

Throughout the weekend, the Express photographers and reporters will be out and about capturing the fun from street parties and community events.

You can stay up-to-date with what’s going on and view photos from the weekend on our live blog on the windsorexpress.co.uk or slough express.co.uk websites.

Events will include a street party in Eton on Saturday and a Jubilee Party in the Park on the Long Walk in Windsor on the same day.

Windsor’s Big Lunch will also be taking place on the Long Walk on Sunday, featuring 488 picnic tables along the Long Walk.

Slough events include the Queen’s Jubilee Festival at Manor Park Community Centre on Saturday, Slough’s Big Jubilee Lunch in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church on Sunday, and The Britwell Platinum Jubilee celebration, also on Sunday.

Lisa Hunter, who is involved with Windsor’s organising committee, said: “Organisation has gone really well. Everything is coming together so we’re now keeping our fingers crossed about the British weather. We are really looking forward to it, there is lots of different things going on.

“It has been exciting meeting new people and learning new things but above all it is just a massive honour.

“It is something that is never going to happen again in our lifetimes and to be involved in the organising of that has been an absolute joy.”

■ Pick up a copy of next week’s Express for a special supplement featuring photos from the weekend.