Surrey plans big jubilee year

Overseas buyers seeking property for sale in Surrey - or indeed anywhere in the UK - can hardly fail to have noticed this year marks the diamond jubilee of the Queen's accession to the throne.

The monarch inherited her role 60 years ago today (February 6th 1952), when her father, King George 6th, died, although the coronation waited until June 3rd. While Britain and the world are of course much changed since then, Queen Elizabeth 2nd has been a constant feature of British public life, with her reign now being longer than that of any monarch bar Queen Victoria.

And for many Surrey buyers, whether from the UK or not, the history, tradition and pageantry that goes with royalty may be something to be regarded fondly. That millions do was made clear enough by the response to the royal wedding last year, when thousands of street parties and other events were held up and down the country.

In the county, Surrey County Council leader David Hodge has pledged that the latest royal event should be marked in similar fashion with a series of Big Jubilee lunches around the county on the bank holiday marking the anniversary of the coronation, the BBC reports.

He said: "We want people to come together again and show the sense of community spirit that makes the county such a wonderful place to live.

"I can't think of a better way to mark 60 years of the Queen's reign than spending the day celebrating with neighbours or friends."

And the local authority's highway teams have been asked "to go out of their way to help make them happen".

So those who are fans of the royals may find it very easy to locate a party near to them that they can join in with.

And the street parties will not be all, as a range of events take place across the country.

One of the most spectacular will be the lighting of 4,000 beacons on June 4th, which may include a number in Surrey.