Video: Beacons Lit For Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Bermuda’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations continued last night [June 2] with the “Lighting of Beacons”, which saw George Fergusson take part in the event held at Fort St. Catherine in St George’s.
The Governor plugged in an extension cord to light the Beacons, and then climbed to the newly opened upper level of the fort to inspect them. Mr Fergusson returned to the lower level and mingled with the small crowd, before seeking assistance of a young onlooker to fire the cannon.
The schedule called for Beacons to be lit at three different locations at 9pm last night; Commissioner’s House, Fort Hamilton and Fort St. Catherine, however it is unclear at this time whether all three actually took place.
Bermuda joins a network of over 4000 Beacons being lit by communities throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Commonwealth and Overseas Territories.
The island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean, with only 262 inhabitants, will have the world’s most remote Beacon, and Saint Helena will be lighting five Beacons to form a diamond shape.
The Treetops Hotel in Kenya – where the Queen was staying in 1952 when she learned her father had died and she was now monarch – will also light a beacon.
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Musicians including Stevie Wonder and Sir Elton John will perform in the shadows of Buckingham Palace before the Queen steps on to the stage to light the last beacon at 10.30pm on June 4 in London.
UK Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham said, “The fact that the Overseas Territories are playing such a full role is recognition of their close relationship with the Queen and the UK.
“Involving them in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations is part of our strategy of reinvigorating our relationship with the Overseas Territories,” continued Mr Bellingham.
The celebration in Bermuda started with a Flotilla yesterday, and continues today with a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Peter’s Church, which will be followed by the Jubilee Garden Party in the churchyard, and a “High Tea” at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess at 4pm.
On Monday there will be the initial planting of the Jubilee Bermuda Cedar by the Governor in an area to be designated the Jubilee Grove at Coney Island, and two Jubilee Scholars will be announced.
The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II is a celebration marking the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne after the death of her father King George VI in 1952.
How nice it would have been to mark this occasion properly – with a holiday, a party and lots of national celebrations. Fantastic tourism opportunity too, a wasted opportunity and we all know why, because the PLP do what they want not what is right or the country wants.
PLP are waiting for dreb to become Governor!
God Save the Queen!!!!
I believe that more should have been made of the Diamond Jubilee here in Bermuda – a very poor showing for our Monarch, especially after all the promotion for her visit in 2009. Was that all just for show too? Where were the crowds, the street/beach parties, the bunting and flags and even advertising for the lighting of Bermuda’s Jubilee beacons and other potential events that could have been almost as big as Bermuda Day celebrations? We are, after all, still a BRITISH Territory and regardless of the politics, should have done more to recognize our Queen on the momentous occasion!
Shame on us Bermuda!
Why was there not a Beacon at the western end of the island? Perhpas by the time the Queens’ 70th year on the Throne, Bermuda will have A Better Government that will Plan the type of Celebration that we The People would all be Proud of.
I agree!!!!!!