Former choirboys invited to Minster Diamond Jubilee celebration

The Dean of Westminster has contacted Bev Jones, 71, the head boy at York Minster when they first attended Westminster Abbey in 1953, along with the other surviving choirboys to once more join in the celebrations next year.

The Queen came to the throne on February 6, 1952 and her coronation took place on June 2, 1953.

Mr Jones, a York musical theatre director who recently suffered a stroke forcing him to postpone his own 50th Anniversary Concert at York Barbican Centre this April, said: “I am determined that a stroke will not stop me – staging a concert or attending Westminster Abbey next year.

“I am proud to have taken part 60 years ago. I still remembers every word and note I sang on the day, and went on to have 50 wonderful years of my own life in music.”

Meanwhile, The Queen has given her official endorsement for a series of street parties across the UK as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June.

She has written to the organisers of the Big Jubilee Lunches, saying she is “delighted” that they are taking place on June 3 as part of events marking her 60 years on the throne.

The project seeks to get people together to share lunch with neighbours and friends in the form of a traditional street party or a picnic lunch in small or larger groups.

The centrepiece of the jubilee celebrations will be the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, a spectacular flotilla reflecting Britain’s maritime heritage.

The 1,000-boat tribute will feature recreations of famous vessels through the centuries on the River Thames.

The seven-mile long procession includes Dunkirk little ships, steam boats and tugs, rowed shallops and Dutch barges and passenger ships.

At the centrepiece of the flotilla will be the lavishly decorated royal barge with a red and gold colour scheme, decorated with flowers representing every country in the Commonwealth.

It will carry the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh and other royals who have not yet been named but are likely to be the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.