Mayor of Poole, Cllr Ann Stribley, with the special commemorative Beacon.
Poole will join over 1,000 local communities throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories in lighting a beacon in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday.
The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will light the principal beacon at Windsor Castle to mark this landmark birthday on Thursday 21 April. This will be followed by the lighting of a number of beacons along the Long Walk, Windsor Great Park as well as beacons by many different organisations from all areas of the community.
The Army Cadet Force are taking special gas fuelled beacons to the top of the Four Highest Peaks in the UK:
. Ben Nevis – Scotland (1st Battalion Highlanders Army Cadet Force)
. Mount Snowdon – Wales (Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force)
. Scafell Pike – England (Cumbria Army Cadet Force)
. Slieve Donard – Northern Ireland (2nd NI Battalion Army Cadet Force)
The beacons on top of the Four Peaks will be lit at 7.15pm with all other beacons being lit by 8.30pm that evening.
The Mayor of Poole will light a special commemorative beacon at Sea View Point, Constitution Hill on Thursday 21 April at 7.30pm. This public event will include the singing of the National Anthem and ‘Happy Birthday’ with accompaniment from the Salvation Army Band. Refreshments will be available from the kiosk at Sea View.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, said: “I am delighted that so many people throughout the United Kingdom are coming together to light beacons in celebration of my mother, The Queen’s 90th birthday. It is a wonderful gesture which I know has deeply touched Her Majesty.”
The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Ann Stribley, added: “As the nation celebrates this important milestone in The Queen’s life, I am delighted that Poole is playing its part. If you are unable to join us many residents will be able to view the beacon on the View Point from their own neighbourhoods. If you know of anyone who will also be celebrating their 90th birthday on the same day as The Queen please let me know. It would be great if they could also take part in our ceremony or join me for tea during the afternoon.”
To mark HM The Queen’s official birthday on Sunday 21 June, Borough of Poole’s Annual Civic Service and Parade will be held in St James Church at 3pm. More details will following nearer the event.
