Plans in place for Queen's visit to Burnley and Accrington (From Lancashire Telegraph)

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Plans in place for Queen's visit to Burnley and Accrington

7:00pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Chris Gee, Reporter

ARRANGEMENTS The Queen

ARRANGEMENTS are being made to welcome the Queen to East Lancashire as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

A warm welcome will be awaiting the Queen for her first ever visit to Accrington, community leaders have said.

And organisers of the Queen’s visit to Burnley say it will be made “accessible and visible” to as many of the town’s residents as possible.

Her Royal Highness and the Duke of Edinburgh will travel to Burnley and Accrington as part of a tour of every region of the country as they celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

The news has been hailed as ‘fantastic’. They will come to East Lancashire on either May 16 or 17.

No final itinerary has been set but Burnley Council’s chief executive, Steve Rumbelow, said officials from the town are set to begin talks with representatives from Buckingham Palace to agree details.

He said: “It’s a fantastic boost for Burnley to be part of this historic occasion.

“We have a great reputation here for making members of the Royal family welcome which has been demonstrated whenever visits have taken place.

“There are no set destinations for the visit as yet, the finer details will be given a great deal of thought.

“One thing I can guarantee is we will find a way for the visit to be inclusive and visible to the people of Burnley. It’s what we want and I’m sure it’s what the Queen would like as part of these celebrations.”

Mr Rumbelow added the council had not lobbied the Palace to be included on the tour and was not aware of the process which went into deciding the towns and cities visited.

Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson said: “It’s just such wonderful news for the town, borough and the entire county. We will have to keep our fingers crossed for good weather as there will be so many people who will want to be a part of this.

“People will want to help celebrate her 60 year reign and this visit will make memories for the people of Hyndburn for the rest of their lives.”

Opposition leader Peter Britcliffe said the decision to include Accrington as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tour was a cause for great celebration.

He said: “We began lobbying for the Queen to visit when I was leader last year and I remember the first meeting we had with Lord Shuttleworth. We remained on the list of possible venues since then, but we hardly hoped we would hit the jackpot.

“I think a very warm welcome is waiting for the Queen in Accrington. This is her first ever visit and it is going to be something special.

“I think she passed through Clayton-le-Moors in 1967. Now with this visit, coupled with the Olympic torch passing through this year, it is a fantastic double whammy for the borough.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “This is a great honour for the borough. Having one royal visit this week and Her Majesty to also visit in May is a great privilege and an opportunity for local people to see our head of state step foot In Accrington. There is much to look forward to.”

Comments(24)

Your ferret stinks says...
7:46pm Thu 9 Feb 12

I bet she doesn't stay long?