Borough ready to mark Queen's Platinum Jubilee with beacon lightings

Special beacons to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be lit in the borough this week – everyone is invited to attend.

The beacons will be lit at 9.45pm on Thursday 2 June, marking 70 years of sovereignty by Queen Elizabeth II.

New mayor, Councillor Ali Ahmed will light the beacon on the evening of Thursday 2 June in Middleton’s Jubilee Park. He will be accompanied by distinguished guests including the Queen’s representatives - deputy lieutenants Ian Sandiford and Asrar Ul-Haq.

There will be a performance by the Cantare choir. Guests are asked to arrive from 9pm and the event begins at 9.30pm, with the beacon being lit shortly afterwards.

It will be one of more than 2,000 beacons being lit by charities, communities and faith groups across the UK to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.

This will be the first time any serving monarch has reached this landmark, as the Queen has already overtaken her great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who reigned for almost 64 years until 1901.

Mayor Ahmed said: “We are so proud to be part of this momentous celebration. It is appropriate that this unique milestone in history is marked with a beacon and music at our historic Jubilee Park which was opened to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1889.

“The borough is honoured to be part of this special event for Her Majesty’s 70th year as our monarch and head of the Commonwealth and I hope residents will come out and join us.”

 

 

Whitworth Town Council will light a beacon on Brown Wardle hill, and one will be also lit on the Castleton village green.

Councillor Billy Sheerin said: “In 2018 the British Isles had an unwelcomed visitor ‘a weather front’ now commonly known as the ‘Beast from the East’. Its strong icy winds caused havoc bringing down full grown trees up and down the country.

“The village green in Castleton had a massive horse chestnut tree ripped out of the ground as easy as pulling out a perennial weed. The tree had been situated in the centre of green and when it was removed by the storm, it revealed much-needed space that could be used for heritage community events all the year round.

“The new Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon being one that will remain available for many years to come and will be a permanent heritage asset for the village and Rochdale Township.

“Annual community events that are held on our village green include Christmas tree lights switch on, gathering around the Easter cross, Maypole dancing, memorial service with the local Churches on Armistice Day in November.  

“We are proud to be part of this momentous celebration. It is only appropriate that this unique milestone in history is marked with beacons and music. We are honoured to be part of this special event for Her Majesty, The Queen’s 70th year as our Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth on her Platinum Jubilee.”