VILLAGERS in Capel St Mary are planning a 50-year knees-up with their golden handout from the Evening Star.The Parish Council's Jubilee celebration plans were boosted by a £500 prize in the Evening Star and British Gas competition.

VILLAGERS in Capel St Mary are planning a 50-year knees-up with their golden handout from the Evening Star.

The Parish Council's Jubilee celebration plans were boosted by a £500 prize in the Evening Star and British Gas competition.

And council clerk Celia Waters promises the cash will be put to good use.

She said: 'We're all getting very excited and I'm sure everyone will enjoy it. I hope everyone will have a wonderful time.

"I remember the street parties in 1977 when every street or close was closed for a party. Everyone met up in the village and then went home to celebrate.

"I'm not sure these Jubilee celebrations will go on quite so late – some of the street parties lasted until three in the morning.'

Mrs Waters, 56, of Mill Hill, said the prize money would mean the village could party in style as well as helping charity.

She said: 'The Parish Council had already planned to raise money with the raffle, but now any money raised will go to charity and we will still be able to splash out."

The golden weekend's flagship event will be the unveiling of a new parish sign. The old sign was removed after becoming a target for vandals.

But the new design is such a closely-guarded secret that even Mrs Waters has yet to see it.

She said: "Some of the Parish Council members have seen the design, but I've only seen bits of it.

"The main is that, hopefully, it's going to be vandal-proof."

The theme of the party, which will run from Friday 31st May to Tuesday, 4 June, is celebrating the fifty years of the Queen's reign – both inside and outside the parish.

An exhibition of photos taken in Capel St Mary over the last 50 years will be shown in the Methodist church. And a booklet of the period is being produced.

The Golden Jubilee dance, on the Monday evening in the Village Hall, will feature hits from the fifties to the noughties from Replay – billed as Capel's favourite live band.

Guests at the dance are also being encouraged to dress in the style of their favourite decade.

Mrs Waters is not sure whether she'll be digging out an old rock n roll outfit.

Other events planned for the weekend include a bring-and-share picnic, carpet bowls, a walking treasure hunt, competitions, face painting and a market.

A bouncy castle will be put up and a charity balloon race will raise money for village nursery Dawn to Dusk Educare.

The Street will be closed between Rembrow Road and Link Road from midday to 6pm on Monday, June 3. Diversion signs will be in place.