A BEACON is to be lit in Worcester to mark the start of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The beacon will be lit at Fort Royal Park on the evening of Thursday, June 2 – one of more than 2,022 lit all over the UK as part of the official programme of celebrations announced by Buckingham Palace.
On the same evening there will be a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace with a lighting installation and projections onto the front of Buckingham Palace. Beacons will also be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals.
Worcester’s programme of events will be time-matched to those elsewhere in the UK.
At 2pm, a town crier will stand outside the Guildhall and make a specially written proclamation to herald the lighting of the beacon later that day.
In Fort Royal Park, the programme of events will begin at 7.30pm with musical entertainment by Got2Sing.
Rock Choir will take over the stage at 8.30pm, and at 9.35pm a bagpiper will play Diu Regnare, a tune written especially for the occasion.
At 9.40pm there will be a bugle announcement, then the beacon will be lit at 9.45pm by the Mayor of Worcester, Coun Adrian Gregson, as Worcester Voices sing Song for the Commonwealth.
The Friends of Fort Royal Park and Commandery Gardens will be providing refreshments.
“We are delighted to be part of this momentous celebration to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and hope that many residents will come along to enjoy the spectacle and join in the fun in an evening which promises to be memorable,” Coun Gregson said.
Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, pageantmaster of The Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Beacons, said: “For the first time, town criers, pipers, buglers and choirs from the UK and the Commonwealth will come together to join in the celebrations in their own individual and special way.
“It is wonderful to see the range of support for beacon lighting, which will highlight both the diversity and unity of the nation and the Commonwealth.
“The Queen has lit up our lives for 70 years through her dedicated service and commitment. We would like to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour.”
• A list of road closures for street parties has now been published. Visit www.worcester.gov.uk/advice-benefits/road-closures-for-approved-events for more.
