Golden Jubilee celebrations gaining public support

The death of the Queen Mother and the start of the Queen's Jubilee tour of the country have bolstered public support for pub and street parties to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

It had been feared that support for the event was limited as the royal family's popularity had dipped and publicans across the country said they were expecting more custom for World Cup matches than for the Jubilee. But organisers now say demand for information packs on how to organise events has shot up in the last few weeks.

Councils in the North East, the first port of call on the Jubilee tour, have since sent out more than 100 special information packs and believe more parties are being planned. Publicans are being urged to make the most of the event, which includes a blanket extension to pub opening hours until 1am on June 4.

The flood of enquiries is now likely to be replicated across the country as the tour moves on and people begin to plan events.

The Jubilee Office, which is coordinating celebrations across the country, is said to be delighted with the number of parties and special events happening in the North East and the rest of Britain.

A spokesman said: "We always expected that after Easter there would be an increase in celebrations as people would start getting in the mood for it.

"We are all delighted there has been such an increase in interest and it does not really matter what the reason is for it, we are just happy that people are getting into the spirit of things."

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Eldridge Pope offers prize for best Golden Jubilee celebration (19 March 2002)

All pubs granted 1am extension for Queen's Jubilee (5 March 2002)

Extended opening for Queen's Jubilee approved by House of Lords (6 February 2002)

Trade urged to rally for Jubilee celebrations (24 January 2002)

"Celebrations Toolkit" issued for next year`s Jubilee events (12 December 2001)