Alan White

ON June 2 the nation will come together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and mark her 70 year reign.

This promises to be a historic event with a host of activities and I want Staffordshire to be part of the celebrations.

Key national events include the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Parade, Big Jubilee Lunch and the lighting of beacons, but as well as these we are inviting residents, businesses, community groups and schools to organise their own events.

To help, we are making it easy for people to organise their own street party or summer fair.

If people want to plant a tree or a commemorative bench we will give the advice they need to do this safely. We have great community spirit in the county and I am sure people will come up with some great ideas to help us celebrate.

The Queen is not the only one celebrating this year. On May 1, we’ll be hosting our seventh Staffordshire Day, our annual celebration of pride in the county when we tell the world what a great place this is to live, work and visit.

This year’s theme is the Great Outdoors and taking centre stage is our beautiful countryside and green spaces. With numerous country parks and national treasures like Cannock Chase, parts of the Peak District and national forest, we have so much to explore and be proud of.

As in previous years, there will be a real mix of events and activities celebrating the best of Staffordshire.

I want everyone to be able to join in the celebrations in what promises to be a fantastic weekend. The Staffordshire Day Film Festival, which was a huge success last year, is also back again too, so we will be encouraging people to submit their short films highlighting aspects of our great county.

Finally, we will be taking part of the celebration to London, to the House of Commons.

Here alongside a number of our businesses and attractions, we will be showcasing Staffordshire as a great visitor destination, our amazing heritage and culture, and huge investment potential.

You can keep up to date with what’s on for Staffordshire Day at www.enjoystaffordshire.com.

And there is more. This summer Birmingham will host the 2022 Commonwealth Games and I am delighted that Staffordshire is playing its part by holding two events.

The amazing Cannock Chase Forest, left, is set to host the mountain biking events, while South Staffordshire will welcome part of the road cycling time trials.

This global event will be a great spectacle for residents, attracting some of the best athletes in the world, and also help to put our great county on the map internationally.

Get ready for a fantastic summer of celebrations and get the dates in your diary.