There's no better way of celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday than with a street party.

A classic British tradition, they're the ideal way to meet your neighbours, enjoy entertainment right on your doorstep, and help build a friendly community.

The best thing is that it's easier to throw a street party than you might think. With a few simple steps the whole community can celebrate the Queen's birthday together on June 11


<font size=+1> 9 Steps to throwing a street party: </font> 


1. Chat about your idea with your neighbours 

2. Apply to the council for road closure, or have an informal ‘street meet’ on a driveway, front garden, or end of a cul-de-sac

3. Involve everyone and share out jobs

4. Plan activities for all ages

5 . Bring food, games, music and chairs

6. Make some bunting

7.  Raise money on the day with a raffle 

8. Send out reminders to your neighbours before the event 

9. Share lots of photos of the party on social media with the #cumbriaHMQ90 hashtag!


<font size=+1> Decoration ideas: </font>


Bunting

A street party staple, why not get creative and make your own?


Union Jacks

An obvious one, no celebration of the Queen would be complete without the red, white and blue.


Balloons

Keep the red, white and blue theme going with balloons at your street party.


<font size=+1> Recipe ideas: </font> 


Baked Scotch Egg

Ingredients

400g sausage meat 

6 hard boiled eggs 

7 tablespoons fine dried breadcrumbs 

1 egg, beaten

Divide sausage into 6 equal portions. 

On a lightly breadcrumb-sprinkled surface, pat out each portion to about 0.25cm thickness. 

Wrap the sausage meat completely around each of the hard boiled eggs, pressing edges together to seal.

Dip sausage-coated eggs in beaten egg, then roll in breadcrumbs. 

Place on baking tray and bake in preheated 190 C / Gas mark 5 oven until lightly browned, about 25 minutes.


Victoria Sponge

Ingredients

For the cake: 
  • 200g caster sugar 
  • 200g butter 
  • 4 eggs 
  • 200g self-raising flour 
  • 1 tsp baking powder 
  • 2 tbsp milk 
For the filling: 
  • 100g softened butter
  • 140g icing sugar
  • strawberry jam

Heat oven to 190C or gas mark 5.

Butter two 20cm sandwich tins and line with non-stick baking paper.

In a large bowl, beat all the cake ingredients together until you have a smooth batter. 

Divide the mixture between the tins, smooth the surface with a spatula, then bake for about 20 mins until golden.

Turn onto a cooling rack and leave to cool completely. 

To make the filling, beat the butter until smooth and creamy, then gradually beat in icing sugar.

Spread the butter cream over the bottom of one of the sponges, top it with jam and sandwich the second sponge on top.

Dust the top with icing and serve!


<font size=+1> Get your business involved! </font>


It's not just your home or garden, you can get involved at work too!

Why not decorate your shop, your office, and or even your livestock?

However you get involved, remember to share your plans and photos using the  #cumbriaHMQ90 hashtag.