ROYAL exhibition tours and free tea and cake will be rolled out at the Guildhall during the Queen's jubilee.

The plans were announced by Cllr Ian Tomes, who is part of the leadership group at Salisbury City Council, during a meeting on Monday March 7.

Prior to this, the city council announced that it would be planting jubilee trees alongside a city-wide planting project rather than using limited funds to hold a large party.

The trees have been planted in Hudson's Field and Victoria Park and the meeting heard the council together with wildlife organisations are planning to have stalls in Hudson's Field to give out wildflower seeds and talk about te environment during the jubilee.

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Cllr Tomes added: "The Guildhall will be open for free Royal exhibition tours showcasing the local council's and the Guildhall's connection with royalty throughout the years, and of course there will be tea and cake available."

He also said the city will be decorated with red, white and blue bunting as well as flowers.

Cllr Sven Hocking, who had previously spoken out about the lack of community celebrations for the city along with fellow conservative councillor Charles McGrath, said: "I'm delighted to hear the administration has rolled back and has now decided to do tea and biscuits and cake at the Guildhall. I think that's fantastic news.

But added: "I'm mildly disappointed that were are not putting on a show in the Guildhall Square for the 75th jubilee that is something that this council and the previous administration have been remarkably good at.

"Rest assured, if the city council's administration won't do something there are a group of us here, who as private individuals will try and put on something for the general public."

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Cllr Paul Sample said he was aware of areas where residents wanted to organise their own street parties and hoped the council would "give whatever support" it could. As a businessman he said he would be happy to sponsor events.

"I'm sure there is no intention to bring the Queen's millennium jubilee in for political point scoring," he added.

Councillors were told the administration group had met with neighbouring parishes about a beacon.

Cllr Tomes said that Salisbury itself, with the exception of Hudson's Field, was "not really suitable for a beacon" but it was waiting to find out if English Heritage would be having one at Old Sarum.

"If they are not going to do a beacon then we will probably reconsider and look at it and look as Hudson's Field as a suitable location. At the moment we are waiting to see what English Heritage do."

Cllr Hocking said he had been contacted by suppliers of the beacon and had secured a beacon which would be used at a private event as he had been told by officers it wasn't wanted.

Mayor Caroline Corbin said the beacon would be discussed outside of the meeting.