Queen’s Park neighbours take over their streets to celebrate the royal wedding
‘I do’ like a big party!
Published: 6th May, 2011
by PAVAN AMARA
ROYAL wedding frenzy built to a merry crescendo on Friday when thousands attended street parties right across Westminster.
As Kate and Wills tied the knot in Westminster Abbey, dozens of roads were closed to traffic for neighbourhood celebrations.
In Kilravock Street, Queen’s Park, scores of residents competed in a three-legged race and a tug-of-war, with those living in odd-numbered houses going up against with those of even-numbered ones.
Organiser Pepe Duncan said: “It was a fantastic event which really brought the community together, and there was a great turnout.”
In Meard Street, Soho, residents sat out in the sunshine for a long table lunch party with stuffed rolled chicken and lasagne.
And Soho Society member David Bieda, who attended the party, claimed: “I made Westminster’s largest trifle.”
In Marylebone, actor Barbara Windsor attracted the attention of television crews.
Earlier in the week at Edward Wilson School in Maida Vale, the “Queen” herself – or at least someone who looked like her – distributed William and Kate wedding medals to children as part of an event supported by the Paddington Waterside Partnership.
Republicans celebrate their way
MEMBERS of the Republic pressure group held their own street party in Red Lion Square, Holborn, on Friday with around 2,000 people turning out to join in traditional street party games – and show their support for an elected head of state in place of the Windsors.
Many said they wished Prince William and Kate Middleton the very best for the future – but wanted them to hand back taxpayers’ money given to them by the Civil List.
Republic spokesman Graham Smith said: “The wedding has been a big boost for us with a more than doubling of our registered supporters from around 7,000 in November to over 16,000 today, with the numbers increasing rapidly late last week as the wedding hype intensified and our own campaign received widespread exposure.”
And as well as giving like-minded republicans a place to hide from the hysteria of the wedding, the event was also used to launch a new campaign, called Republic 2025.
Mr Smith added: “It is aimed at securing a referendum by 2025 and has the goal of motivating republicans and driving the debate up the public agenda by setting a clear deadline for change.”
Among those at the event were TV personality Carrie Grant, dressed as the Queen and handing out cucumber sandwiches, as well as TV presenter Jon Snow, reporting for Channel 4 News.
DAN CARRIER