Queen to visit show

THE Queen is to visit the South of England Show at Ardingly on June 7, as part of her Golden Jubilee tour of the country.

The Queen is Patron of the South of England Agricultural Society, which stages the show. Her visit will give the thousands of people attending the event the opportunity to see the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Society chairman Carola Godman Law said: 'We are proud and delighted that our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, will visit the show in such a special year. This visit will give huge encouragement to our farmers, agricultural and rural businesses that support the show, and we shall make sure it is a day to remember.

The Royal visit will be a highlight of Jubilee celebrations in the county.

A number of communities are already working on their local events and the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mrs Phyllida Stewart-Roberts said this week that she was confident that the county would mark the occasion in grand style.

Mrs Stewart-Roberts has held meetings with chief officials and civic leaders from the county council, district and borough councils which allowed for a 'cross-fertilisation of ideas.

One valuable development has been the waiving of the cost of road closure notices for people wishing to hold street parties.

'It is true to say that the planning for Jubilee events is progressing well at all levels, commented Mrs Stewart Roberts.

East Sussex County Council s website www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk has been extended to include Golden Jubilee pages and will carry a rolling diary of events. Organisers of events can log on and add their celebration to the diary.

The Lord Lieutenant s office at Pelham House, Lewes, is also keen to hear from people born on Accession Day February 6, 1952 who would like to apply to attend a special Buckingham Palace garden party.

Mrs Stewart-Roberts is hoping that the six designated Golden Jubilee charities will be included, where appropriate, in Jubilee events. They are Barnardo s, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Cruse Bereavement Care, I CAN, SSAFA Forces Help, and the British Commonwealth Ex Services League.

As on the occasion of the Queen s Silver Jubilee, beacons will be lit around the country, with those at Firle, Ditchling and Crowborough lighting the East Sussex skyline.