PEOPLE in Helensburgh and Lomond have yet to be gripped by enthusiasm for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this weekend.

THERE seems to be a lack of enthusiasm around Helensburgh for the Royal Wedding this Saturday of Price Harry and Meghan Markle.

Local residents wanting to organise official street parties for the royal wedding this Saturday had to do so in advance through the licensing department at Argyll and Bute Council.

But a council spokesperson told the Advertiser: “We are not aware of any street parties taking place."

Hundreds of parties led by local residents around the UK are expected to coincide with the bell ringing at Windsor Castle, as Prince Harry marries the former Suits actress, but none, it seems, will be in Helensburgh.

With many local authorities across the country having abolished road closure fees, it has never been cheaper to encourage community spirit on your doorstep.

Everybody has had the opportunity to host a stress-free event, whether you are a seasoned street party planner or not.

But this Saturday’s ceremony doesn’t appear to have sparked fever pitch as the area does not appear to have hit fever pitch proportions.

Most of the UK’s local councils, including Argyll and Bute, required residents to make an application in advance of the proposed street party.

Residents were asked to make sure this was done four to six weeks in advance to allow a formal risk assessment to be undertaken.

However, if the party is private, for residents only and does not require a road closure, a formal risk assessment and official permission are not required.

Parties on a quiet street that will not affect surrounding roads are classed as small events.

According to the government website, you do not need to tell the council if you hold a smaller event that does not require permission for road closures.

Holding an event on a driveway, parking area, front garden or end of a cul-de-sac does not require permission from the council if it is on private land.

If you’ve run out of time to close the road, you can always arrange a ‘street meet’ using pavements, parking spaces, gardens or driveways which doesn’t require permission.

The nave of Winchester Cathedral will host a live-screen of the royal wedding, before inviting everyone outside to enjoy family entertainment.

Royal wedding celebrations will be incorporated into this year’s Chelsea in Bloom flower show, which transforms the streets of the west London borough into a walkable artistic visual experience. But in Helensburgh it all seems quiet on the Royal Wedding front.

Local MSP Jackie Baillie, although in London this weekend, has other plans.

She said: “I wish both Prince Harry and Meghan well for their wedding day and their future. Meghan’s acting career has brought her into people’s homes and I am sure she will be missed from our screens. I am a big fan of Suits so I will miss her character Rachel Zane.

“I will be in London this weekend as my sister and her family are flying over.

“I have two young nieces who are big Harry Potter fans though, so I think my weekend will be spent visiting all of the Harry Potter attractions in London!”