A street party held in Hillside Road, Chorleywood, helped to turn the road into a real community overnight.

More than 50 people – from toddlers to octogenarians – attended the party to celebrate the Royal Wedding on Friday.

Hillside Road comprises only 13 houses but residents of other nearby houses attended the event along with minister of Hillside Free Church (Baptist) Arderne Gillies.

Organiser Ann Laffeaty said: “My family and I have lived in Hillside Road for 15 years but at the party we met several close neighbours who we didn’t even recognise.

“It was a wonderful way to celebrate the Royal Wedding while making new friends at the same time.”

Neighbour Barbara James spent several weeks making 140 metres of bunting with her daughter Nancy, 18, and other residents.

Others helped by making “Road Ahead Closed” signs, co-ordinating a “bring and share” buffet and compiling a Royal Family quiz.

“It was a real community effort,” said Ann. “The road closure team met in the street at 10am on the morning of the party and placed the signs and cones at either end of the road, then strung the bunting across the street from trees and lamp posts. After going back into their respective houses to watch the wedding, residents re-emerged at around 1.30pm to arrange tables and chairs and to set up the food.

“The street party was a great success and it has completely changed the atmosphere of the road,” added Ann.

“People we didn’t even know last week now greet us when we walk down the road, and the place has become a warmer and much more pleasant place to live.

“Next year will be the Queen’s Diamond jubilee and hopefully we will be able to repeat the experience and make our street party even bigger and better.”