A WEEKEND packed with family entertainment will be on offer in Tavistock, to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next month.

Events are being staged throughout the town — and they are all free to attend!

In the town hall there will be a vintage fair on the Friday, June 1, a vintage market in Bedford Square the following day and on the Sunday and Monday, the pannier market will be staging its very popular annual garden festival, between 10am and 4pm.

The Meadows will be a hive of activity throughout the Sunday and Monday of the bank holiday.

The Lions Club of Tavistock are staging a Jubilee Beer and Cider Festival in the park, from noon until 7pm on the Sunday and from noon until 10.30pm on the Monday.

A spokesman for Tavistock Lions said: 'The Lions have chosen beers with names linked to the celebration so visitors will have the chance to sample beers such as Sovereign Gold from the Burton Bridge Brewery based in Burton Upon Trent, Diamond Jubilee from the Yorkshire-based World Top brewery and the even more topical Rule Britannia best bitter from the Titanic Brewery based in Stoke-on-Trent.

'They will even the opportunity to sample Lizzie's Dimples from the High House Farm brewery which is based on a working farm only half a mile from Hadrian's Wall and a speciality beer from the Hopback brewery called Cherry Diamond, a 4.2% beer with a hint of cherry.'

With 24 beers and ciders to taste there should be something to appeal to all. Soft drinks will be available, run by the town hall bar.

The town council has organised a huge variety of entertainment on a big stage in the Meadows, from Zumba and belly dancing classes, to Ju-Jitsu. On the Saturday there will be a 'food is fun' event for children, run along the lines of 'Ready, Steady Cook' and cookery demonstrations from top local chefs on the Sunday. There will be hog roasts, cream teas and a wide variety of trade stalls throughout the Meadows on both days, and Sunday will be live music day on the stage, with entertainment from a great line-up of local bands playing all sorts of music, from folk to jazz and rock, including the popular Rock and Roll Outlaws.

Donkeys from the Tamar Valley Donkey Park will be delighting the crowds, there will be entertainment from a magician and a teddy bear's picnic.

There will be a huge TV screen, with four family film screenings during the weekend, plus live jubilee news from the BBC.

Lisa Wadling, who is helping organise the event, said: 'It's very much a huge family event, it's about coming to enjoy Tavistock, bringing down a picnic and having a great time! There should be something for mums and dads, young and old — plenty for everyone, and it's all free!'

Events in the Meadows run from 10am to 8pm on the Sunday, and 10am to 10pm on the Monday — the Tavistock beacon bonfire will be lit near The Pimple at 10.15pm on the Monday.

l Any traders who would like to join in the Meadows jubilee party are very welcome — call David Evans on 01822 617232.