Volunteers are wanted to help make Horncastle fit for the Queen

A packed programme of events has been arranged from Friday June 10 until Sunday June 12 for the celebrations.

Councillors have also organised a Clean for the Queen session this Sunday, June 5, and are hoping for support from individuals and organisations.

Mayor Coun Bill Aron said: “It would be great to see as many people as possible turn up to help.

“We had a very successful clean-up earlier in the year and hopefully we’ll get even more people this time.

“Individuals or clubs and organisations. Come and do your bit!”

Volunteers are asked to report to the Community Centre in Manor House Street for a 10am start.

There will be a litter pick around the town and a general clean up of the river areas – supervised by Rivercare.

Refreshments will be available in the Community Centre from 11.30am.

Equipment and a safety briefing will be provided.

Anyone wanting more details should contact town clerk Gillian Mauger at [email protected].

Meanwhile, final plans are coming together for the actual weekend of celebrations which starts on Friday evening with a concert by the Banovallum Brass Band at Stanhope Hall.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start and there will be a licensed bar and a raffle in aid of band funds.

Tickets are available from JT Friskney and the town’s Music Shop.

Saturday’s highlights will feature a fancy dress parade of floats through the town centre (10.30am).

The parade will be led by deputy mayor Coun Brian Burbidge and will leave the Community Primary School before travelling along The Becks and Banks Street to the town centre.

It will then move on to West Street and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School. There are prizes, including for the best float and best fancy dress, and judging will be carried out by Gail Dymoke.

A summer fete at QEGS’ sports ground will be opened by MP Victoria Atkins at 12.30.

Attractions include cream teas, craft stalls, displays, laser tag, a bouncy castle and children’s rides.

Entertainment will include performances by the Alford Morris Men and Horncastle Community Choir.

The fete will close at 4pm. In the evening, a dinner dance will be held at the Admiral Rodney Hotel.

Tickets (£40) are available from the hotel.

On Sunday, events start with a ‘big breakfast’ at Stanhope Hall. Tickets (£2) are available in advance from the Music Shop.

St Mary’s Church will host a morning Communion service at 10am, and there will be a display of royal memorabilia in the church.

In the afternoon, the Coningbsy-based Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will perform a birthday flypast at 2.45pm, to be followed by a children’s street party at Stanhope Hall, featuring a face painter and party food.

Organisers ask that parents stay to accompany any pre-school children.

In the evening, the film The Queen: A Monarch for all Seasons will be shown at Stanhope Hall at 7.30pm.

Doors will open at 7pm and tickets are on sale at the Music Shop.

Details and times of all events are included in a programme that is available at various outlets in the town - including the library.

Coun Fiona Martin, chairman of the Celebration Committee, thanked everyone for their help and support.

She said: “The committee hope that there is something for everyone and that it will be a fitting way for Horncastle to celebrate this momentous occasion.”

Coun Aron added: “It has been a superb team effort pulling everything together.

“Many thanks, once again, to all the people who have helped, from the funders, the businesses, individuals and organisations.”

It promises to be a busy month for the town.

The 90th birthday celebrations will be followed by a visit from the district-wide So Festival on Sunday, June 26.

The internationally-renowned Southpaw Dance Company will perform a re-enactment of Goethe’s tragic play, Faust.

Dancers will combine a unique routine of Lindy Hop and Charleston, backed by big band music from the 1920s.