A beacon lighting and family event helped to kick-start celebrations in Clacton marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The event, one of many held across Tendring – and the rest of the world – saw hundreds of people come together as a community to share in the commemorations of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.
Held on Thursday, 2 June, on the town’s West Greensward, the event began with a teddy bear picnic and fun children’s activities, including storytelling, crown making, face painting, a magician and balloon modeller, and a circus skills workshop.
This was followed by live music from Random Folk, the Harmonettes and the Spectrum choir, and an excerpt from the 2019 Last Night of the Proms – shown courtesy of the BBC – which saw the crowd enthusiastically wave their flags in scenes akin to the Albert Hall.
Deputy Lord Lieutenant Bonnie Hill MBE, the Queen’s representative, stayed throughout the event, met many of the participants – and even brought her own teddy for the picnic, much to the delight of children present.
The evening culminated in a procession from the Greensward to the new Clacton Jubilee beacon, led by a piper along with Tendring District Council (TDC) Chairman Peter Harris and Mrs Hill DL, which was then lit after the Queen began the wave of light from Windsor Castle.
Cllr Harris said the event had been a real community celebration.
“What was fantastic about the event was the waves of people who came – families came earlier on with little ones to enjoy the activities, then others arrived for the music, and yet more people came for the beacon lighting,” Cllr Harris said.
“Everyone I spoke to had a smile on their face, and at the lighting of the beacon in particular there was a really magical atmosphere as we came together to honour our Queen.”
The event was funded by contributions from several Clacton ward councillors – each TDC councillor was given £1,000 to use to support Jubilee events in their area. Clacton’s jubilee beacon has been installed thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Photos: Peter Harris lighting the beacon, and the beacon lit up.
