Two of Nottingham’s favourite pubs The Major Oak and Horn in Hand are busy this week preparing for four days of celebrations in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The pubs, both of which are owned by Stonegate Pub Company, are putting up the bunting, decking the bars in red, white and blue and hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for charity. But that’s where the similarity ends, as each will be celebrating in their own unique way.

The Major Oak, on Pelham Road and Victoria Street is kicking off the bank holiday bonanza with a 50’s inspired swing dance night this Friday (1 June) to mark the decade of the Queen’s Coronation. The pub will be going all out to support England football team on Saturday as it takes on Belgium in the last friendly match prior to the Euro 2012 tournament. It will be running a sweepstake for the pub’s chosen charity Acorns Hospice with prizes for the winners donated from local businesses.

“On Sunday we’re expecting a visit from the Queen herself”, said Anthony Galvin, organiser of the weekend, “who will be a hosting a special Jubilee themed quiz for us from 8pm. It’s such an incredible milestone we wanted to go all out to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at the pub. The team are really excited about the coming weekend. We’ll be serving traditional cream teas every day and offering free shots for anyone called Elizabeth!”

Meanwhile, across town, deputy manager Carl Thomas at The Horn and Hand on Goldsmith Street has been dreaming up his owns plans to mark the Jubilee. Carl, who last month raised over £1700 for Prostate Cancer by inviting customers to vote for the face of the celebrity they would most like to see tattooed onto his leg, is pulling out all the stops to entertain his customers over the bank holiday. With his newly tattooed leg – Keith Lemon face – on full display, Carl will inviting customers to join him and his team in dressing up as their favourite ‘Queen’ or ‘Punk’ for an alternative rock night this Friday 1 June.

“A £1 donation to Prostate Cancer for those in fancy dress enters our customers into the competition which will see the most impressive ‘Queen’ win a prize,” said Carl. “It’s going to be a huge weekend. As well as the Rock night we’re having a Britpop night on Saturday, hosting a Jubilee themed quiz at 6pm on Monday and on the day of the Jubilee itself we’ll be showing all the coverage on our screens, offering cream teams to customers and then, the best bit, running our very own version of ‘Take me Out’ in the evening. Our gorgeous girl contestants are from Nottingham Harlots Roller Derby Team and we’re looking for 5 lucky lads to impress them to earn a date.”