Erewash Borough Council is holding special beacon lighting events to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth celebrates 70 years on the throne this year, the first British Monarch to reach such a milestone. Erewash will celebrate on Thursday June 2 by taking part in the beacon lighting event with ceremonies in Ilkeston Market Place and the grounds of Long Eaton Town Hall.
Both events will begin at 8.30pm with musical performances and the handing out of flags. At 9.30pm the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor John Sewell, will arrive at Long Eaton, and the Deputy Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Chris Corbett, will arrive at Ilkeston. At approximately 9.40pm, a piper will play ‘Diu Regnare’, a tune written specifically for the occasion by Piper Major Stuart Liddell. A bugler will then announce the lighting of the beacon with a specially written bugle called ‘Majesty’. The beacon will then be lit as the ‘Song of the Commonwealth’ plays and the National Anthem will finish the glorious evening.
Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says:
“The Queen has been leading us for 70 years now with great strength, honour and integrity. We are all so grateful for her lifelong service, her guidance through difficult times and her consistency in an inconsistent world. It is a joy to thank her and celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this Bank Holiday with the beacon lightings in Erewash.”
Beacon chains were historically used for communication but are now lit to celebrate major Royal events such as the Platinum Jubilee. The event begins with the lighting of the principle beacon in Buckingham Palace, after which over 1,500 beacons will follow suit including 54 in each Commonwealth City Capital.
Residents are asked to bring their own chairs to the events as both venues have limited seating.
