HIGH-SPEED powerboat racing, traditional brass band music and a tug-of-war competition will all form part of Waveney's celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, it emerged this week.

A regatta, a music festival, a classic car rally and street entertainers will also help the district mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession from June 2-4.

With a host of events planned nationwide for the special four-day weekend, officials at Waveney District Council have been working with local organisers to ensure communities can mark the occasion in style.

Launching the celebrations in Lowestoft, Thundercat racing will return to the town's seafront from Saturday, June 2 as the powerboats do battle in the three-day Jubilee Powerboat Grand Prix.

Darren Newman, Waveney's service manager for tourism and heritage, said that since the success of last year's event, the council had worked with organisers to bring the races back. He said: 'The race programme includes a range of classes and engine sizes including the Thundercats, which thrilled the Lowestoft crowd last year. In addition to the entertainment on the water, which can be easily viewed from the promenade, the weekend will include other attractions and stalls on the seafront area including a fair on Royal Green.'

The Summer Bash Jubilee Music Festival will also take place in Lowestoft on June 2 at the Triangle Market, off High Street. The entertainment will start with a traditional brass band concert at noon and will continue with a range of performers.

Meanwhile, Southwold High Street will be closed to through traffic as the town's shops extend their premises to celebrate the Jubilee, with a range of bands and attractions planned.

On Sunday, June 3, a 'picnic in the park' has been organised at Nicholas Everitt Park in Oulton Broad from 2pm to 4pm with the Hellesdon and Sprowston Brass performing a two-hour set.

In Southwold, Sunday's celebrations will focus on the harbour to link in with the Thames Jubilee Pageant. A flotilla of ships will enter the harbour and will be on public display. And there will be guaranteed thrills and spills as the tug-of-war competition over the River Blyth returns, pitting Southwold against Walberswick.

On Monday, June 4, Waveney will be taking part in the national beacon lighting event to mark the Jubilee and in Southwold, the Lions' Jubilee fete takes place on The Common. In the evening, the celebrations will move to Gun Hill for a barbecue and the lighting of the town's beacon.

Celebrations will also be held on Monday at Pakefield green and The Oddfellows pub, with family games, local talent performances, fancy dress and a dog show, before the lighting of the beacon.

Lowestoft and District Scouts Association will light the most easterly beacon at Sparrow's Nest gardens on June 4, with local people invited to join them.

Jubilee 'apathy' – Postbox