OLDSWINFORD residents are being invited to join together as a community to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

A number of local people and members of the St Mary’s Church congregation are hosting the community event where people of all ages can celebrate the monarch’s significant occasion.

Invitations for the event, which is taking place on Saturday, June 11, between noon and 4pm, have already gone out to the local homes, schools, community groups and businesses in Oldswinford, with proceeds from the day being donated to Mary Stevens Hospice.

Antony Tatford, church warden and one of the event organisers, said: “The event is intended to be Oldswinford’s way of acknowledging the many years of loyal service generously given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this country’s longest ever reigning monarch.

“Everyone is invited to get involved with either the organisation, or to join in the fun on the day.”

Among the family fun activities on the day will be a make a crown task, to enhance the entries to an all-ages king and queen fancy dress competition, and a bake-off competition to see who can make a birthday cake that is ‘fit for a queen’.

A barn dance session will be led by local couple Eve and John Evans, while Springs Dance Academy will give a display by young dancers from the Saturday groups that meet and practice in St Mary’s Church Hall.

Inside the church during the event, the ladies of the Flower Guild will present a series of specially designed floral arrangements that accompany pictures and artefacts that illustrate Oldswinford and the Queen's service during the past 90 years.

Antony added: “We are still seeking a small music group that may be available to help us to make music for some of the time, and perhaps lead a short community sing-along of songs from throughout the past ninety years.”

For more information about the event, or to volunteer and help the organising group, call 01384 441003, email st.mary.os@btconnect.com, or visit www.facebook.com/StMarysChurchOldswswinford