Kate Middleton's village

London: The tiny village of Bucklebury, where Royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton grew up, was abuzz with activity on Wednesday, with villagers preparing for celebrations and media from around the world descending on her past haunts.

Taxi driver Paul, who works for Abacus cars, told Gulf News en route to the village that he's been ferrying quite a few journalists from the neighbouring train station in Thatcham. Business has definitely picked up for him since the announcement of the wedding, he said.

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"Thunderstorms are forecast for Friday, but that's good for me, because it means business will be good," he said, "but that makes me sound like a scrooge," he laughed.

The winding country lanes are thick with oak trees in the heart of Berkshire's countryside: an idyllic place to grow up surrounded by fields of sheep, cattle and deer that venture out at dusk.

Bright blue forget-me-not flowers grow wild in the hedgerow of the village lanes — appropriate to the villagers who surely won't forget their most famous inhabitant.

Gulf News found the staff at The Old Boot Inn rushing around, preparing not only for the day's trade, but also for interviews and the grand party on Friday.

The pub has been a particular focus of attention as it is Kate Middleton's local haunt and she and Prince William have visited it both as a couple and with her family.

Pub landlord John Haley was officially invited to the wedding and has hired top hat and tails ready for the big day. Along with the bride, he's also leaving others guessing what some of his outfit will be like.

"I've got a special tie and I haven't told anyone what colour it is yet; and I've got my top hat and tails…well, you've got to dress up, haven't you, this is something special," he said, taking a seat at Prince William and Kate's favourite table in his pub.

Haley said the pub is putting on a "massive party" the evening of the wedding from 6pm, including live bands, a barbeque, disco and a fancy dress competition for children — with prizes for the best prince and best princess outfits. Tickets have already sold out.

Old friends

It's clear the villagers of Bucklebury know each other well — the postman stops to make deliveries and chats to an elderly couple he knows, who comment on the number of cars parked at the village green; a girl passes by on horseback and waves as she passes people she knows.

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The butcher's, interior design shop and Bladebone Inn pub have all hung the bunting out in readiness for the weekend's celebrations. The community spirit is evident and will be celebrated in gusto on the big day — there are three main events planned with some even organising a tractor shuttle for party-goers.

Martin and Sue Fidler have been running the local butcher's shop in Bucklebury for the past 34 years.

They knew Carol before she met husband Mike and settled down in the village to start a family.

"They're just such a lovely, bubbly family," Fidler said. "Kate is such a natural young lady; she's strong-willed. William and her together they're the perfect pair."

He added: "They'll be fantastic for the country, what more can you say; they're just a lovely, lovely couple".

Seeing Prince William and Kate on the television has shown the butcher how accepted the couple already is among the public, he said.

"It's the best thing that's happening in the Royal family this century," he said of the wedding. The butcher said he hoped he would live long enough to see the couple crowned King and Queen. William is second in line to the throne after his father Prince Charles.

The butcher said he's also hoping that the weather on Friday stays fair, "for people that are doing all of these parties".

"Everyone in the country is doing something and it's going to make them all happy, put a smile on their face and give them all a little bit of a lift; because we need that with all the doom and gloom that's about," he said.

In a message from himself and wife Sue, he said: "to William and Kate, we wish you the very, very best."

The Middle East in Bucklebury

Thousands of people are due to be celebrating in Bucklebury on Friday, for the wedding of Kate Middleton - arguably the village's most famous inhabitant. However, what will the villagers be barbequing? Believe it or not, camel could be on the menu for the celebration barbeques on Friday.

Local butcher Martin Fidler said the camel meat sells "quite a bit", as people are always looking for something unusual to put on their barbeques.

Bison and other exotic meats also sell well and the butcher has been stocking them for quite some time.

"It's good for trade," he said, adding that they also stock South African meats, such as biltong.