IN response to Jennifer Grover's letter last Friday concerning Wycombe District Council's financial contribution to Golden Jubilee celebrations, I can only repeat Her Majesty the Queen's own request that taxpayers' money should not be spent on celebration events and we are supporting that request.

That aside, the council is delighted to be helping others celebrate this wonderful and historic occasion.

Only last week, we held a very well attended public workshop for groups and organisations wanting to organise their own community celebrations.

Eighty people attended from a wide cross-section of the community several residents associations, voluntary groups and commercial organisations, and many individuals who took from the meeting valuable information concerning what financial assistance is available, and guidance to help them organise their own events.

We have also waived the full cost of road closures for Golden Jubilee events for the whole year, again to encourage spirited community celebrations.

We also learnt last week, with the announcement from The Palace, of Her Majesty's visit to Higginson Park, Marlow, where she will be attending a garden party hosted by the Lord Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire, Sir Nigel Mobbs.

We are very excited to have an involvement with that, although at this stage it is too early to say exactly what that will be.

Suffice to say we feel greatly privileged that Her Majesty is visiting our district.

After all, what greater Jubilee celebration could there be for everyone than to attend a visit by Her Majesty the Queen herself!

It promises to be a most memorable occasion for all of us!

Cllr Roger Colomb

Leader of Wycombe

District Council

Queen Victoria Road

High Wycombe

February 14, 2002 13:38