Now  that's
what we
call a right
royal knees-up!

Boston Borough Council is pulling out all the clichés when it comes to celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee later this year.
The latest issue of the borough’s monthly bulletin has been dubbed a “royal” edition – and the theme continues with the claim that Boston is to enjoy a right royal knees-up when it celebrates the jubilee.
Boston Town Area Committee has taken up the “gauntlet” and agreed to arrange festivities in the town centre – with a budget of up to £5,000 set aside for “fun and games.”
But, lest you mistakenly believe that this means something is going to be officially organised, prepare to be disappointed.
According to the borough: “The emphasis will be on provision of facilities for town area residents to make their own entertainment.”
The use of the phrase “town area residents” is presumably to overcome the rule which says that BTAC can only spend money to benefit town centre residents – even though an event such as this will obviously attract a far wider audience.
This allowed the employment of a particularly interesting argument – that it would be “unfair” for the borough council to use council tax funds for such an event for Boston when “in the villages” residents and parish councils were the funding and organising groups.
Thus, with one bound Jack was free of any financial burden - flanking it elsewhere as is rapidly becoming the norm!
So far, ideas for the knees-up have included a barbecue, bring your own picnic, an “open mic” stage, entertainment and games.
Mysteryminding the plans is a five-strong committee comprising Boston’s town centre portfolio holder Councillor Derek Richmond, leisure services and cemeteries Councillor Yvonne Gunter, Mayor Mary Wright, plus Councillors Paul Mould and Mark Baker.
Not exactly a line up with which one would normally associate the phrase “fun and games.”
Councillor Richmond said the community had to be involved and feel a part of the event, especially as we are in a time of austerity – apparently overlooking the fact that the austerity of the early 1950’s makes today’s straitened times seem prosperous by comparison.
As yet, there has been no announcement of a location or a date.
We have an uneasy feeling about all of this, and our misgivings are shared by Independent Councillor Carol Taylor, who had wanted to organise a celebration independently of the council.
“I read with great interest an article on Boston Borough Council's website advertising planned events over the bank holiday weekend for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee," she told Boston Eye. "I was particularly interested in Councillor Richmond's declaration that the "community had to be involved and feel part of the event, especially as we are in a time of austerity" The people of Boston are also being asked to "make their own entertainment"
“I wonder if Councillor Richmond and Councillor Gunter would be kind enough to tell us about the Help for Heroes event to be held on bank holiday Monday June 4th.
“The reason I ask is that in early January I submitted an application to hire Central Park on this day. I was informed at the time that there were no other applicants for that day. I then discussed my proposals with the police, who also informed me that they were not aware of any other event being planned.
“A few days later I received an email to say there had been a 'mix-up' and that the park had already been booked for Help for Heroes event.
“In the meantime, a group of 14 volunteers had come forward including children's athletic coaches, music director, and Mayflower among others to volunteer their services.
“The day was to be as follows:
10am -12.30pm: Family fun time including organised games, Tug of War and the crowning of a junior Queen Elizabeth of Boston for the day.
1pm-4pm: Big Boston Tea Party with very special guests from the older members of our community to join us for cucumber sandwiches, cakes, scones and cup of tea. It was hoped that school children would enjoy this particular part as it would enable us to get the opinion of young and old alike as to what the Queen meant to them.
4pm -10pm would have consisted of two live bands and a disco. People would be encouraged to bring their own picnics.
“We had no intention of asking for any money as we had tentative fund raising plans of our own.
“Before setting up the working group, I asked Councillor Richmond if there were any plans for the Jubilee and expressed my interest in being involved. I was told that it was up to him and Councillor Gunter to decide "the make-up of the Committee."
“Obviously we were very disappointed that the park had already been booked but understood the importance of Help for Heroes. Subsequently our group have now stepped aside to allow the five members of the organising committee to organise as they say a wonderful event - but I would be most grateful if they could advise us on the plans for the Help for Heroes day on bank holiday Monday.
“Finally, I was saddened to read that people "had” to be involved - and yet again that word austerity crept in to the equation.
“Whether you are a Royalist or not, this is a time to thank Her Majesty the Queen for her devoted service to our country and wish her well for the years ahead. I also wish the committee great success with their events.”

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