Royal wedding party in Granville Road, Welling, July 29, 1981. Courtesy of Bexley Local Studies & Archive Centre.

Nine street party applications have been received in Bexley to celebrate Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding on Friday, April 29.

Bexley council received 23 expressions of interest and nine applications - three in Welling, two in Bexleyheath as well as two in Sidcup, one in Erith and one in Bexley.

The scenes are set to replicate those which took place across Britain on July 29, 1981, when Prince Charles married 20-year-old Lady Diana Spencer in St Paul’s Cathedral infront of a global television audience of 750 million.

Community councillor Katie Perrior said: “We have all seen the pictures from 1981 and it makes you think back to a time when everyone knew their neighbours. They all brought dishes to share and celebrated together.

“I am a big fan of street parties and celebrating the royal wedding so the two combined is a great idea. I would encourage more Bexley residents to apply for them. I hope the people of Bexley enjoy themselves on this special bank holiday.”

Street party organisers only had to fill out a single form after Communities Secretary Eric Pickles changed the guidance last August. Organisers need to apply to the council for permission to close a road or street with a minimum notice of six weeks and the cost must be met by the organisers. Three organisers are needed for each party. Organisers must obtain Public Liability Insurance to provide cover for any accidents or damage.

Chairman of Erith and Belvedere Local History Society Ken Chamberlain was a policeman on duty at a street party in Thamesmead for the 1981 royal wedding. He said: “It was the same time as the Brixton riots and there were rumours that there would be riots in Thamesmead. But there weren’t any and everyone had a lovely time.”

Around 10 million people attended street parties to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Parties on the borough’s busiest roads will not be given the go ahead as these are used by the emergency services and bus routes. It is the responsibility of the organiser to tell emergency services and bus companies about the party.