TOWN councillors at Bedale have had more luck with their second attempt at a public meeting to seek ideas for celebrating the Queen's golden jubilee next year.

A special exhibition recalling events of 1952, evening musical entertainment in the market place, a quilt show, children's sports, an open weekend at Bedale bowling green society and a parade by local clubs and organisations were among new suggestions put forward at a meeting attended by 14 people at Bedale Hall on Monday.

A jubilee church service, a teddy bears' picnic and the possibility of asking Hambleton council to sanction a specially enlarged Tuesday market were among tentative ideas informally discussed by councillors at their first meeting last month, attended by only one member of the public.

Those suggestions remained on the potential jubilee week agenda after the second meeting on Monday, when deputy mayor Coun John Noone, who took the chair, said: "There was less of the town council this time and more of the public, which was what we wanted.

"The more events we have, the more successful the local jubilee celebrations are likely to be."

Local celebrations will include Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, but will centre on the bank holiday on Monday, June 3, and the Tuesday market at Bedale on June 4.

In an attempt to repeat a formula used five months ago for a medieval market day as part of the Bedale 750 celebrations, the town council has asked Hambleton whether the authority would be prepared to approve an expanded market on June 4 and pay for an associated traffic system to keep that area free for pedestrians only.

The Bedale 750 committee paid about £1,000 for extra street signs and a one-way traffic system when the market was enlarged for one day on May 29.

Coun Noone said much could hinge on whether the market place could be kept free from traffic on June 4 next year.

It was suggested that if an expanded market went ahead, it could run into the evening with a party atmosphere on the street, subject to an entertainment licence and consultations with police.

Coun Noone said the ideas considered last month and the new suggestions made on Monday represented a good selection but stressed that plans were starting on the basis of what the town council could afford from its own resources.

If the planned programme grew larger, sources of external funding might have to be investigated, but an element of self-help in finance and organisation would be expected among anyone putting forward new ideas.

The town council must decide whether local events should be held individually or jointly with neighbouring parishes. Some of those who attended on Monday will report back to their own organisations, including Aiskew and Crakehall parish councils and Bedale chamber of trade.

Another meeting takes place on November 26, 7.30, when it is expected that those involved will decide whether to form a working party or steering group.