2012 is set to be a year of celebration and excitement, not just in London where the Olympics are taking place, but also in Herefordshire and Ross where great events are planned for the Diamond Jubilee.

The four day Bank Holiday from Saturday, June 2nd to Tuesday June 5th will include opportunities to join Big Lunches and light beacons in a chain of 2012 across the country.

The Queen is making a memorable journey along the Thames in the Jubilee Pageant on June 3rd and Ross Rowing Club Captain Jeremy Picton-Tuberville is playing a major role in this. A Wye Trow, a traditional barge used for carrying cargo along the Wye in the 18th and 19th centuries is being built to take part.

Mr Picton-Turberville, who is advising the Wye Trow Committee on rowing matters, said: "We are completing various elements of the design at present and, once this is complete, we shall be selecting a team of rowers to take part in trials in April next year prior to final selection to row the Wye Trow at the Pageant.

"At the Jubilee Pageant, a team will be rowing the Wye Trow on the Thames for two hours dressed in period costume which will be both a challenge and a great honour." It is possible that rowers from Ross will form part of the crew.

Then in July more Ross residents will be invited to take up the Diamond Day challenge and take part in a huge day of celebration to mark the Jubilee on Wednesday, July 11th.

Herefordshire Diamond Day will celebrate all that is great and good about the county at a sparkling festival to be held on Hereford's King George V playing fields. It will reflect life in the county during the past 60 years and blend this with a taste of life in the 21st century and beyond.

"This will be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and we hope that towns and villages and other communities will join in and mark the Jubilee in their own particular way," said Lady Darnley, the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, who is leading the celebrations. She is determined that although the event is taking part in the city of Hereford it will include as many people as possible from the market towns like Ross. The event is expected to attract thousands of visitors and the team of volunteers behind the day is already contacting local businesses, parish councils, voluntary groups and many other organisations in Herefordshire to encourage them to get involved.

"This is set to be a day like no other," said Lady Darnley.

"We've got such a lot to celebrate in Herefordshire and we may run out of space, but I can guarantee we'll have something for everyone.

"We want to hear from as many community groups as possible as we want them all to take part in the celebration. We're keen to hear if they've got suggestions which could contribute to the celebrations.

The best way to get in touch is via a website which has been set up which gives more details and states how to get in touch. The website address is: http://www.herefordshirediamondday.co.uk">www.herefordshirediamondday.co.uk. Alternatively telephone 01432 261837 for more information.