The long weekend ahead is likely to prove a welcoming time for expat relocation into the Cheshire region, with several events planned to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Street parties will be taking place across the county, allowing newcomers to the area to sit down for an informal meal with their neighbours as part of the Big Jubilee Lunch.

Councils have waived the usual fees associated with closing roads for street parties, meaning even more celebrations can be held than might otherwise be possible.

And a series of beacons will be lit that span not just Cheshire, but the whole country.

In Cheshire West and Chester, residents are being invited to add a beacon of their own to the list, either on a prominent building, or simply by hosting a bonfire on high ground.

Meanwhile, over in Cheshire East, six beacons will be lit by the authority itself among the network of thousands linking communities nationwide.

It’s a perfect time for expat relocation, with plenty of one-off activities taking place, but some of the changes – such as making it easier to host street parties – should also remain in place for the future, making it even easier for newcomers to get to know their neighbours.