The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Beacon Lighting
There is a long and unbroken tradition in the UK of celebrating Royal Jubilees, weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons, usually on top of churches, mountains and cathedral towers, castle battlements and on town and village greens. In 1897, beacons were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. In 1977, 2002 and 2012, beacons commemorated the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees of The Queen, and in 2016 Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.
On 2nd June 2022, we will celebrate another unique milestone in our history, Her Majesty The Queen’s 70th year as our Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth - her Platinum Jubilee. It is a feat no previous monarch has achieved.
More than 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, and one in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries in recognition of The Queen’s long and selfless service. The beacons will enable local communities, individuals and organisations to pay tribute to her as part of the official Platinum Jubilee Weekend of celebrations from 2nd to 5th June 2022.
Yeovil is proud to be joining in with this Royal tradition by lighting 2 beacons in the town, one on top of Wyndham Hill and the other outside St John’s Church in the centre of town.
The Beacon will be lit on 2nd June at 9:45 pm we also have a schedule of music from The Octagon Community Choir, who will be singing the ‘A Song for the Commonwealth’ along with other songs.
HMS Heron Band will also be playing pieces of music to help in the build up to the Beacon being lit.
Yeovil Art Space will be in attendance as well providing a free artwork shop earlier in the evening for the younger members of the community to join in with the Beacon Lighting. There will be a chance to create some willow artwork which can then be added to the live willow crown, specially commissioned for the Jubilee.
The Mayor will be in attendance to officially open the new Willow Jubilee Sculpture and also light the Beacon for Yeovil Tow Centre.
The event will open at 5 pm when Abbey 104 will be playing music and the Jubilee Sculpture will be opened at 5:30 pm. The art workshop and music will then follow until 9:45 pm when the Beacon is lit.
- 5 pm - Abbey 104 will open the evening with some music
- 5:30 pm - The Mayor will officially open the Willow Sculpture
- 5:30 pm - 8 pm - Free art workshops for all to join in with, create something to add to the Jubilee Willow Sculpture
- 8:00 pm - Luis Mertelo Solo Trumpet performance
- 8:45 pm - 9:15 pm - HMS Heron Band playing a selection of music
- 9:20 pm - The Octagon Community Choir
- 9:40 pm - Bugle Call 'Majesty'
- 9:45 pm - Lighting of the Beacon by The Mayor
We are encouraging anyone wishing to attend to bring a picnic, sit out on the green and enjoy the evening.
