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Thousands of Britons are planning to get out the bunting, balloons and fold-up tables and hold street parties across the country to celebrate next month's wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
About two thousand requests have already been made to local councils for road closures to allow street events to be held on April 29th when the couple tie the knot at London's Westminster Abbey, the Local Government Association said on Saturday.
London has received the most applications with 70, followed by Essex, the county northeast of the capital, which has had 46. Dozens of requests have also been sent to local authorities in Wales, western, northern and central England.
"Street parties are an established part of British culture, they're a great way for people to meet their neighbors and strengthen community bonds," said Chris White, chairman of the LGA's Culture and Tourism Board.
"It's great that we're seeing such community spirit sweeping the nation. And these applications are only for parties which require a road closure, there will be many more celebrations in gardens and homes across the country."
In order to help, some councils have waived the usual fee to close roads while others are offering party packs for organizers, with free bunting and flags.
"The eyes of the world will be on William and Kate on April 29 and I am sure that many Britons will use the excuse to celebrate," said Claudia Joseph, author of "Kate: The Making of a Princess."
"After all it is a public holiday -- and everybody loves a party."
One company that could be benefitting from the interest in street parties is the firm founded by Middleton's mother Carol.
Party Pieces is offering a "Best of British" range with all the accessories to hold a traditional street party, with plates, cups, bunting, hats and a host of other items featuring the British "Union Jack" flag.
(Read by Renee Haines. Renee Haines is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)
(Agencies)
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為了慶祝威廉王子和凱特?米德爾頓下月即將舉行婚禮，成千上萬名英國民眾計劃掛出彩旗和氣球，擺上折疊桌椅，在全國各地舉辦街頭派對。
英國地方政府協會上周六表示，各級地方政府已收到大約兩千份道路封閉申請，要求在威廉王子婚禮當天舉辦街頭派對。威廉王子和準王妃將于4月29日在威斯敏斯特教堂舉辦婚禮。
倫敦收到的道路封閉申請最多，為70份。位于倫敦東北部的艾塞克斯郡收到46份申請，位列第二。威爾士地區、英格蘭西部、北部、中部等地方政府也已收到幾十份申請。
英國地方政府協會文化與旅游部主席克里斯?懷特說：“街頭派對是公認的英國文化的一部分，也是鄰里歡聚、增進社區凝聚力的好辦法。”
“這種社區精神遍及全英，真讓人高興。類似申請僅適用于需要封閉道路的派對，還有很多民眾會在花園和家里慶祝。”
為協助活動舉辦，不少地方政府決定免除封閉道路服務費，還有一些則向組織者提供彩紙和彩旗等“派對大禮包”。
《凱特：平民王妃》一書的作者克勞迪亞?約瑟夫說：“4月29日，威廉和凱特將吸引全世界的目光，我敢肯定，很多英國人會借機狂歡。”
“畢竟這一天是英國的公共假期，而且大家都愛開派對。”
米德爾頓的母親卡羅爾創辦的一家派對禮品公司還可以大賺一筆。
這家名為“派對用品”的公司正出售舉辦傳統街頭派對的必需品，名為“全英最佳”系列產品，包括盤子、杯子、彩旗、帽子、以及印有英國國旗的其它用品。
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（中國日報網英語點津 Julie 編輯：馮明惠）
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