As we prepare ourselves for the biggest social event of the year (at the time of writing in 2011 that is) and the nation's excitement over the royal wedding reaches its peak in April this year, there is just one question that remains..... so how will the nation celebrate this joyous occasion?

 

To celebrate the royal wedding with my family and friends I intend to put on a Great British Vintage tea party fit for a princess.

 

Vintage because I have a large collection of vintage china crockery all from the UK, including Tea cups and saucers, teapots, Sugar bowls, milk jugs and glass cake stands, I also have meters of colourful bunting to decorate with.

 

A 'Tea party' because nothing describes a Great British celebration more to me than an old fashioned tea party.

 

I would have loved for our local parish to have put on a street party, as in times gone by street parties were a very popular way to celebrate a big royal occasion. However now with the government’s new legislation and health and safety issues, it makes having a traditional street party almost impossible. With reports of some city council's receiving no applications at all.

 

This seems to me to be a crying shame when the people of this country are unable to enjoy a great British tradition without endless forms to fill in and having to part with their own money for the privilege.

 

How did we manage in the good old days!

 

I wouldn’t suggest breaking any laws, regardless of how ridiculous they may be, but it has occurred to me (and I have checked this out with my local council) that one way to celebrate with all your neighbours’ family and friends would be to hold your party in the local park. After all, these are public open spaces, free for us all to use and enjoy.

 

As long as everyone is responsible for their own group and tidies away any litter etc, there shouldn’t be any problem. Some parks may restrict gatherings to 15 people without permission, however, if this was just a spontaneous gathering of a lot of small groups of people all at the same time, out to celebrate the royal wedding, who is seriously going to be the kill joy and make everyone go home?

 

So why not take your picnic baskets, blankets, tables and chairs down to your local park and have a Great British Tea party to celebrate.

 

 I’m sure William and Kate will approve.