COMMUNITIES in East Cornwall are preparing to dust off the bunting and roll out the red carpet as plans take shape to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in less than three months' time.

Main events will take place on the Jubilee bank holiday weekend of June 2, 3, 4 and 5.

But there is also a Diamond Jubilee Festival at Whiteford near Stoke Climsland from June 15 to 17, the last at the site, but promising to be the most fantastic festival ever to take place there.

Cotehele Quay's Gig Club's rowing boat 'Cream of Cornwall' has been selected to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on June 3 which will see 1,000 boats gather on the river for the largest flotilla in modern times.

Gig captain Jeremy Lawrence said: 'This is such an exciting opportunity for the club to take part in a once in a lifetime event and it is a fantastic boat to be representing Cornwall.

'We have had so many club members wanting to take part that we are going to have to draw names out of a hat.'

In Callington, the town council is organising a day of events on Saturday, June 2, encompassing a children's film show and 'royal' tea party for the youngsters in the afternoon and a variety show in the evening.

Town clerk Helen Dowdall said: 'We have written to various organisations in the town and the schools to give them a chance to come up with an 'act' for the show. It could be singing, dancing, poetry, a sketch or anything else that would be entertaining.

'We did something similar for the royal wedding last year and it was a big hit. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Callington are a great opportunity for the community to get together and enjoy the various activities the town council is organising.'

There will be a street party in Kelly Bray on June 4.

In Calstock, grants are being offered by the parish council to community groups wishing to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

Groups, clubs, friends' associations and other not-for-profit organisations that are volunteer-led are eligible for grants of £50.

Funds are restricted to one grant for each of the five wards in the parish — Calstock, Chilsworthy, Latchley, Cox Park, Delaware/ St Ann's Chapel, Gunnislake and Harrowbarrow/

Metherell.

The event must take place on June 2, 3, 4 or 5 and application forms are available from the parish office at the Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls on 01822 835038 (open 10am to 1pm Monday to Thursday) or on

Applications must be received by March 31 and suitable ones will be put into a draw to be made at the council's meeting on Tuesday, April 17.

l Is your community celebrating the Diamond Jubilee? Email the East Cornwall Times office: [email protected]">[email protected] and let the newsroom help to publicise your event.