Ju-beer-lee celebration!

A RIGHT royal knees-up to replace the Saddleworth Beer Walk has been given the Queen's approval.

Members of Saddleworth Round Table are set to stage what they have dubbed as a Ju-beer-lee Dinner on Saturday, June 2 — the day that the beer walk should have taken place.

Organisers will celebrate this yearis Diamond Jubilee at the White Hart in Lydgate, and have even had word from The Queen, who has sent her best wishes.

Round Table chairman Mike Procter said: "We wrote to Her Majesty saying to mark her distinguished reign we are hosting a Ju-beer-lee dinner celebration.

"We told her Saddleworth was a series of stunning villages set in the South Pennines above Oldham and famed for its distinctive, locally-brewed beers, hence the reason to underpin our celebration dinner with such a unique name."

In a letter from Buckingham Palace, the Queen has sent personal good wishes for the event.

It read: "Her Majesty was interested to learn that you will be holding a special dinner to mark the Diamond Jubilee and sends her best wishes to all concerned for a most memorable and enjoyable event."

Last year's famous beer walk was plagued with problems, prompting organisers to scrap the fixture this year. Instead, it will auction off the framed letter from the Queen to raise money for charity.

A special commemorative ale — The Last Leg, brewed by local John Frankel — will go on sale at the Rising Sun in Mossley and proceeds will be donated to local charities.

Round Table organisers reiterated their plea for unofficial walkers not to go ahead this year.

A spokesman said: "The official Beer Walk is over as far at Round Table is concerned."

Tickets for the Ju-beer-lee event are £35 each, with discounts available for booking tables of 10.

To book, call The White Hart on 01457 872566 or email: bookings thewhitehart.co.uk

* WHAT are your favourite memories connected to the Queen?

We are looking for Oldhamers' stories connected with the Queen for a special edition of the Chronicle to celebrate the diamond jubilee on the new bank holiday Tuesday, June 5.

Send your stories (and pictures if applicable) to Diamond Jubilee, 172 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1EQ or email them to editorial oldham-chronicle.co.uk