The countdown to the Queen's Golden Jubilee in Barnet has well and truly started. KEVIN BURCHALL finds out what you need to do to stage your own street party

Where were you in the summer of 1977? Chances are you were among thousands of revellers celebrating in one of the many street parties held across the borough to mark the Queen's 25-year reign.

There were 5,000 such parties held in London for the Silver Jubilee, with many leaving their preparations and planning until late.

This time around, preparations for the majority of parties and celebrations on June 3-4 are expected to begin in earnest around Easter. But how do you go about organising one?

Hillview Road Residents Association in Mill Hill started planning for their Jubilee party last September after their chairman suggested it at a meeting.

"The Jubilee was a good excuse for a party and hopefully it will come off. If there is too much red tape we will probably have to give up," explained Valerie Asher, of the association's Jubilee committee.

The Hillview residents have started early and, so far, have not encountered too many problems.

"We have got a committee together and we have organised music and face painting. We have informed the council and we are in the process of getting insurance," added Mrs Asher.

As Hillview Road is a private road, Barnet Council does not need to give permission for it to be closed. But if your road is not private, you will need to seek special permission from the council if you want to stage your party in the street.

To make arrangements as easy as possible for residents, Barnet Council is waiving its normal policy of charging a fee for street closures. Residents just need to inform the council if a party is to take place.

Pauline Varnals, of Barnet Council, explained: "We will be doing all the paperwork free of charge. We did it for the millennium and we are going to do it again."

If your party is planned to include throngs of people, you may be interested in booking one of the borough's parks or open spaces for a small indemnity fee of £12.50.

Residents of Hillview have booked entertainers for their celebrations and depending on the scale, this can be quite expensive.

Some DJs charge up to £300 for two hours but before booking acts, you will need to take out a public entertainment licence.

These can be obtained from the council's entertainments licensing officer at a cost of £125.

If alcohol is to be sold at the venue, a special occasional licence needs to be taken out from Barnet Magistrates Court.

Jean Fowler of the licensing department said: "If it is an organisation, it can apply to the court for occasional permission but you need to get the application in 21 days before the function and 15 days before a hearing date."

The cost of such a licence is £10 and covers the entire party.

Alcohol at the Hillview bash will not be sold and will be on a bring-your-own basis, which is a helpful tip to keep the costs of the party down.

Insurance is one factor which cannot be overlooked. Barnet Council is urging residents to take out public liability insurance cover with a minimum indemnity of £2million.

Otherwise organisers are legally liable for costs and damages if anyone injures themselves. A party with 100 guests will cost you in the region of £100.

Safety is of paramount importance when planning for the big day and emergency services should be notified in advance, particularly if a bonfire or fireworks are planned. This would bump up the insurance costs to about £150.

The council is also urging residents to clean up after their parties and it is providing bins and bags from its Summers Lane amenity site in North Finchley.

Even with all the organisation done, there's no guarantee of course that the Golden Jubilee won't be the 'damp squib' predicted by some in the media. Mrs Asher is mindful of such cynicism that this year's celebrations won't even come close to those of 1977.

She said: "Some people are very enthusiastic but some are struggling for motivation. It is not like 1977.

"Everybody keeps saying it will build up after Easter but there is so much in the media about the negative side of things, it is putting people off."

With a limited amount of obstacles standing in the way, there appears to be no reason why the bunting in Barnet should get tangled up in red tape.

Useful numbers:

- Residents interested in booking one of the borough's parks or open spaces should call Pat Mansfield on 020 8457 9902

- If you want to hold a street party and are applying to close your road, call Maria Liassides on 020 8359 4330

- For information on entertainment, artists or advice on artistic activities, call Jill Laing or Lorraine Thompson on 020 8359 3152

- Entertainment licences can be obtained by calling the entertainments licensing officer on 020 8359 4706 or 020 8359 4707

- If you wish to sell alcohol at your party please call Barnet Magistrates Court to request an occasional licence on 020 8441 9042