Torchlight Procession And Lighting Of Beacons To Mark Queen’s 90th Birthday

Published on: 15 Apr, 2016
Updated on: 23 Apr, 2016

Guildford will have a torchlight procession from the High Street to The Mount for the lighting of a beacon to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday this coming Thursday, April 21.

While Worplesdon is also marking the event by lighting a beacon from the tower of St Mary’s Church.

Everyone is welcome to attend either of the events.

The beacon lighting on The Mount has been organised by Guildford Borough Council and Guildford Lions Club.

A torchlight procession will start from the Guildhall in the High Street, proceeding across the town bridge and then up to the Mount for the lighting ceremony by the mayor.

The Mayor of Guildford, Nikki Nelson Smith, said: “I am delighted that Guildford is able to play its full part in such a historic event. Working with Guildford Lions to provide a torchlight procession will certainly ensure everybody taking part will take away a very happy memory of a special night.”

Details and timings:

Guildford Lions will be selling torches in the High Street from 7pm until 7.45pm. Torches cost £5 and all profits will go to the Guildford Lions Club Welfare Fund to help local people in need
The mayor will make a short address to the public from the Guildhall balcony at 7.45pm.
The instruction to light torches and to proceed will be given immediately after the mayor has finished speaking.
Guildford Lions Club will escort the procession to The Mount.
The closure of Millbrook will be supervised by specialist security company CSP, who will also be providing general crowd control during the evening.
The beacon will be lit by the mayor once all members of the public have safely gathered – water-filled bins will be provided to extinguish the torches on arrival.
The public will be invited to sing the National Anthem and Happy Birthday after the lighting of the beacon.

At Worplesdon, the beacon on top of the church will be lit at 7.30pm by Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, David Hypher OBE, and bagpipes will be played by Kenneth Thomson. Refreshments will be available courtesy of St Mary’s Church and the White Lyon and Dragon pub / restaurant.

To celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday, the Prince of Wales will invite the Queen to light the principal beacon at Windsor Castle. This will be followed by the lighting of a number of beacons along the Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, including one at the Copper Horse, and then more than 1,000 beacons will be lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK overseas territories and a Commonwealth country to celebrate this landmark birthday.