BUNTING and bubbly look set to fill the streets of Oxfordshire this summer as celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee gather pace.

In January, the Oxford Mail reported there had been just two applications for street closures in the whole county.

But two months on, that has now jumped to 48 and officials have dozens of inquiries coming in each week.

That’s on top of scores of unofficial parties being planned.

Richard Bradley, from campaign group Oxford Streets for People, said: “There’s definitely a party atmosphere.”

Oxford City Council has received six applications so far, Cherwell District Council has received 18 and West Oxfordshire had 15.

Vale of White Horse has received four and South Oxfordshire five.

Streets for People has run meetings around Oxford to help communities put on street parties.

Mr Bradley said: “They went brilliantly, we had about 40 people attend and lots of people have been ringing me.

“And as well as the small street parties, there are big community events in places like Manzil Way, St Clement’s, Jericho, Cutteslowe and Risinghurst.”

In Risinghurst, residents are calling for volunteers to help organise a patriotic picnic on the playing fields in Grovelands Road.

Councillor and resident Roz Smith said: “We’ll be having games, a tug o’ war, a best dressed competition, music, and lots of other things.

“Now we just need a few more people with some time to spare and we can make it all happen.”

It’s not just in the city that people are in a party mood.

Banbury will be celebrating with a 1950s-themed street party and residents in Bicester will enjoy events including a beer festival, a fireworks display, a street party and carnival.

Didcot Town Council is building a new garden outside the civic hall, while Witney launched its events, which include the lighting of a beacon, last month.

There are also events planned in Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage and Thame, and other communities across the county.

In Headington, Patrick Coulter, of Headington Action, said: “We had a meeting a while ago and 15 different streets were already represented.

“Parties like this bring people together.”

In East Oxford, organisers plan to close off the ‘magic triangle’ of streets between Cowley Road and Iffley Road over the Jubilee weekend, which falls from June 2-5 and includes two bank holidays.

Most of the events are being held on the Saturday and Sunday.

And in Summertown, four roads will come together on Harpes Road for a big party.

Resident David Rhodes said: “It is a good excuse for neighbours to get together, and it’s nice for the children.”

Have you applied for a street closure to hold a street party? Email news@oxfordmail.co.uk or call 01865 425500.