South Somerset District Council to light beacons as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration
Released On 31st May 2022
South Somerset District Council has plans to light Beacons for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee on the evening of Thursday, 2nd June at Ham Hill Country Park at 9:45pm, by the monument, and at 9.45pm at the top of Wyndham Hill, Yeovil. Members of the public are welcome to attend at a safe distance as instructed by our Countryside Rangers.
These Beacons are just two of thousands being lit in the UK and the Commonwealth and forms part of the official programme announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee Weekend. In the UK alone, over 2,022 Beacons will be lit by charities, communities and faith groups across the nation.
Beacons will also be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals and the Principal Beacon lighting will take place in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening. This will take the form of a lighting installation with the Queen's Green Canopy 'Tree of Trees' sculpture and projections onto the front of Buckingham Palace.
Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster of The Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Beacons, said, “Building on a long tradition of lighting beacons to mark significant royal celebrations, thousands of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth. They will enable local communities to join together to pay tribute to Her Majesty as part of the official programme of events. 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.”
Councillor Peter Gubbins, Portfolio Holder for Area South, added, “We are proud to be part of this momentous celebration and look forward to seeing the Ham Hill and Wyndham beacons lighting up the skies for miles across the district to mark Her Majesty, The Queen’s 70th year reign as Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in our South Somerset communities a safe and enjoyable time as they come together to celebrate at the many Platinum Jubilee events planned.”
South Somerset District Council is also involved in a range of other activities to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, including:
Yeovil’s Big Jubilee Celebration
Yeovil Town Council’s Yeovil’s Big Jubilee Celebration is a free community event on Friday, 3 June at Yeovil Recreation Centre. It will be host a fantastic line up of performers on stage. The Yeovil Rec team are working with Yeovil Town Council to support them with their event in the run up and on the day.
Our Horticultural Services team is planning a royal themed floral display in St John’s churchyard representing the royal crown. They are also working with a local art group and St John’s church to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen’s Green Canopy
Later this year, during the next tree planting season, SSDC is planting a standard tree, with a wraparound bench, at Yeovil Recreation Centre. An English Oak will also be planted in Ninesprings on the bank near to the Goldenstones car park. Our Environment Services are planning further plantings and more details about these will be known later this year.
For more information on how to safely enjoy the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, visit our website. Here you will find a link to the national Queen’s Jubilee event map to see what’s happening near you.
