More Wiltshire beacons needed to mark Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Every county in the UK is encouraged to light 70 beacons
Last updated 16th Mar 2022
The hunt is on for more communities across Wiltshire to get involved in a special way to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee- lighting a beacon!
Every county in the United Kingdom is being encouraged to light 70 Jubilee Beacons to represent each of the years of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign.
In Wiltshire over 30 Beacons have been registered so far right across the county, including those at Westbury White Horse, Stonehenge and at the Fovant Badges.
Amesbury Town Council is set to light a beacon along with Netheravon Parish Council and Winterslow Parish Council to name but a few!
Wiltshire Council say it would be a "real triumph if we could get to the magic number of 70, reflecting the warmth of feeling for The Queen in our local communities."
The Council is asking Town and Parish Councils and community groups who have not come forward so far, to consider lighting a Jubilee Beacon on 2 June, at 9.15pm.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:
“Her Majesty The Queen has had an unparalleled reign as monarch and when we look back at previous celebrations in Wiltshire, such as the fantastic Diamond Jubilee in 2012, we know there are very patriotic communities who will want to celebrate this historic occasion. Lighting a beacon is a simple yet really effective and visually stunning way to mark the occasion and we’d love to see as many places as possible in the county get involved"
All Beacons must be registered beforehand, and guidance and information about getting involved can be found at www.queensjubileebeacons.com
If you are able to light a Beacon and would like a Wiltshire Lieutenancy representative to attend please email lieutenancy@wiltshire.gov.uk
Not just beacons, trees too!
Many trees have been recently planted in the county for the Queen’s Green Canopy including in Hudson's Field and Victoria Park in Salisbury.
‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ has been a huge success with more expected to be planted this autumn. The tree planting season is from October to March each year.
More information about planting trees to mark the Jubilee is at queensgreencanopy.org
National events
There will also be the opportunity to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee by viewing various national events that will take place over the extended Bank Holiday weekend.
Some of the national celebration events include:
• The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour), on Thursday 2 June
• The lighting of Beacons, on Thursday 2 June, evening
• Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving, St Paul’s Cathedral, on Friday 3 June
• HM attending Epsom Races to see the Derby, on Saturday 4 June
• Party at the Palace, Buckingham Palace, on Saturday 4 June
• Platinum Jubilee Pageant, Buckingham Palace area, on Sunday 5 June
• The BIG Jubilee Lunch, on Sunday 5 June
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton, said:
“It has been my privilege to have known HM The Queen and members of the Royal Family for some years. It has been a real honour to represent Her Majesty as Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire for the last 10 years and indeed to welcome Her Majesty and members of the Royal Family to our great county. Leading up to the historic Platinum Jubilee weekend and beyond, many organisations are putting on special events and we have much to celebrate. I hope as many people as possible can get involved in what will undoubtedly be a very special, historic, and enjoyable occasion. Thank you for joining me in celebrating HM The Queen’s unique reign.”