Tea, cake and silverware for the Jubilee

In Leeds city centre yesterday, former Coronation Street and Holby City actress Angela Griffin held a street party to officially launch the Big Jubilee Lunch.

The aim of the Big Jubilee Lunch is to encourage people to join their neighbours for a traditional street party or picnic lunch.

Ms Griffin said yesterday: “It’s about doing something really lovely to bring communities together and celebrate the Jubilee.

“The world has changed, and many people don’t even know who lives two doors down.

“But this is about knocking on their doors and getting people together – children can play in the street, elderly people can get out to meet their neighbours, and those of us in our 30s can have a few glasses of wine.

“I’m sure the Queen would approve.”

The actress was joined at the launch by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Alan Taylor, Vanessa White, regional manager at The Big Lottery Fund and residents who will be hosting their own Big Jubilee Lunches.

Meanwhile, in Sheffield, silverware commissioned by the Sheffield Assay Office and bearing the Diamond Jubilee Hallmark has gone on show at the city’s Millennium Galleries.

Zoë Watts and Alexander Kerrison were asked to design and create two new silverware objects that have now been added to the galleries’ metalwork collections.

The work was commissioned under the Little Gems project, first started in 2004.

Assay Master Ashley Carson said: “We believe it is important to help younger silversmiths in this city as they start their career and we are particularly proud of the fact that traditional skills are passed on by more experienced generations.”