Parties and services for the Queen as Yorkshire enjoys a right royal party

Major official events include a service in Ripon Cathedral tomorrow where there will be a 1,000 invited guests plus 70 people who are also celebrating their 90th birthday.

Similarly in York, ten people who are marking their 90th have been invited to join the Archbishop of York for celebrations at Bishopthorpe Palace.

Residents of Wakefield who turn 90 will celebrate with the mayor and mayoress at a tea party in the town hall today and there will also be civil receptions in Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

Churches are the focus of many of the celebrations, with bells ringing out at places such as Halifax ahead of a special service tomorrow.

In Wakefield, Bradford and Ripon Cathedrals birthday books have also been signed with messages and prayers and are being sent to the palace.

Churches have arranged many of the smaller events to mark the milestone too - bringing communities together to say thanks.

At Otley Parish Church there will be a display about the Queen’s life and her Christian faith while St Giles in Bramhope, Leeds, are having a black tie dinner and afternoon tea as well as a celebration service with flag waving in church.

Barnsley will enjoy a concert at St Mary’s Parish Church with Yorkshire Military Band.

Elsewhere community events are planned, capturing the spirit of the Jubilee street parties.

In Carleton, near Skipton, which hit the headlines with a massive five days of activities for the Diamond Jubilee, there will be a street party. The Jubilee has since become a springboard for a host of regular community events.

Steve Richardson, chairman of Carleton Community Umbrella, which is organising the event, said: “Carleton has a long and proud tradition of joining in national celebrations, not only as a mark of its patriotism and pride, but also as a genuine opportunity to bring the community together to have fun and share a moment of history that our children will remember for years to come.”

Holbeck Elderly Aid (HEA) in Leeds is hosting a party for all residents and their craft group has also produced a flag which marks all significant events in the Queen’s life.

Chief Officer Elissa Newman said: “We will have everything in red, white and blue. The Queen has lived through many of this century and the previous century’s events, such as WWII. Our residents can relate to these events, as many of them lived through them too.”

Morley Town Hall will also be decorated in red, white and blue for an indoor picnic and party today, and yesterday there were celebrations at Dewsbury Town Hall. Around 600 school children came together to perform, including singing happy birthday.

Kirklees schools have been sending in entries for a special competition - children have either drawn a picture of the Queen or written about what it means to be British. The winners of the competition will be announced at the mass sing.

Pupils from Harewood Church of England School and nearby Gateways School were due to visit Harewood House today with cards and greetings for the Queen.

They were expected to be received by Lord Harewood, who is directly related to the Queen, and Lady Harewood. His father the late George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood was first cousin to Her Majesty the Queen. At the same time as wishing Happy Birthday to Her Majesty, the children were set to extend the same good wishes to Patricia, Countess of Harewood who, herself, will celebrate her 90th birthday this year.

The children have made birthday cards for both birthday girls and those for Her Majesty will be sent to the Lord High Chamberlain.