Jubilee Beacon lit at ceremony at Birkenhead Park

At a ceremony at the Grand Entrance to Birkenhead Park last night (2 June) the Jubilee Beacon was lit by Mayor Cllr Jeff Green.

The Wirral beacon is one of more than 3,500 beacons across the UK and Commonwealth.

A crowd of around 150 braved the rain to witness the lighting of the beacon in a ceremony that started at 9:35pm with a piper playing a medley, including Diu Regnare. This unique tune has been specially written for the Jubilee by Piper Stuart Liddell, 2020 Glenfiddich Champion and Pipe Major of the World Champion Pipe Band, Inveraray and District.

Then, to officially announce the lighting of the beacons at 9.40pm, two buglers performed a specially written call, entitled Majesty.

At 9:45pm along with thousands of other locations, the beacon was lit. Mayor Cllr Jeff Green lit the beacon flanked by cadets.

The ceremony was one of the official events of the Platinum Jubilee in 2022 as part of an extended bank holiday, from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June. The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities.

This will be the first time a British monarch has marked a Platinum Jubilee, 70 years as Sovereign. In September 2015, The Queen overtook Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch.

There is a long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons. A beacon chain, once used as a tool for communication, has now become a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries and continents and is often the central point of focus for any outdoor gathering or celebration.

In 1897, beacons were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. In 1977, 2002 and 2012, beacons commemorated the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees of The Queen, and in 2016 Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

Here is a link to a petition to twin Birkenhead Park and Central Park in New York, https://www.change.org/Twin-Birkenhead-Park-Wirral-with-Central-Park-New-York

**The Grand Entrance at Birkenhead Park before the ceremony**

What’s on in Wirral for the Platinum Jubilee

3 June | Platinum Jubilee Picnic, Torr Park, Eastham Village

4 June | Jubilee Picnic At Birkenhead Priory

On Saturday 4th June (11am – 3pm) enjoy a whole range of activities including meeting the Moonshine Owls, creating jewellery & crafts with beadybeady and face painting by Evey. Be entertained with music from Wirral Samba and Wirral 3L’s Choir. Discover what life was like ‘On The Buses’ with a stunning vintage bus from the Wirral Transport Museum. And of course, there’s the fantastic Birkenhead Priory site to explore! Bring your own picnic or hot food & drinks will be available on site.

Information about Jubilee Picnic At Birkenhead Priory

4 June | The Platinum Jubilee Ball at Heswall Hall

Celebrate in style at Heswall Hall’s Platinum Jubilee Ball on Saturday 4 June for an evening of dinner, dancing and entertainment. Tickets are £70 and include a special Jubilee cocktail, sumptuous three-course dinner and dancing to a live band and DJ. Tickets available now from info@heswallhall.co.uk or tel: 0151 342 2614.

Book tickets for Heswall Hall’s Platinum Jubilee Ball

4 June | Jubilee Celebration, St John the Baptist Church Great Meols

4 June | Monks Ferry Queens Platinum Jubilee Party, Monks Ferry Car Park

4 June | Jubilee Celebration, St John the Baptist Church Great Meols

4 & 5 June | Floral Pavilion Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea

The Floral Pavilion is celebrating this first ever Platinum Jubilee in style with a special afternoon tea on Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th June. Served at 12:00pm & 3:00pm (2 hour dining slot) £40.00 for two (£20.00 each). Children under 12 for £10.00 each (includes a soft drink).

Book Jubilee Afternnon Tea at Floral Pavilion

5 June | Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea at the Williamson Art Gallery

The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum Café is celebrating the Jubilee in style with a special Platinum Jubilee afternoon tea on Sunday 5th June (served at 12:00pm and 2:30pm) £40.00 for two or £20.00 each. Children under 12 for £10.00 (includes a soft drink).

Book Afternoon Tea at the Williamson Art Gallery

5 June | Friends of Birkenhead Park Jubilee Picnic

The Friends of Birkenhead Park invite you to join them for a Picnic in the Park on Sunday 5 June (11am – 2pm) as part of the Big Jubilee Lunch. Bring your own picnic, chairs and rugs and join them on the field opposite to the Visitor Centre (Balaclava Field) where they will celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the 175th anniversary of Birkenhead Park.

Information about the Big Jubilee lunch

5 June | Platinum Picnic at Port Sunlight

On Sunday 5th June Port Sunlight is hosting a ‘Picnic on the Green’ in the heart of the village. Bring along your picnic blankets, deck chairs and food for a fabulous party with live music stage featuring the Port Sunlight Sea Dogs, The Get Back Beats, and The Swing Era Jazz Band, hosted by compere Graeme White. Indulge in street food from from barbecue bites to afternoon tea treats. There’ll also be vintage rides and stalls, and a mobile bar!

Information on Platinum picn i c at Port Sunlight

5 June | Jan Modelski Big Band and Pop Orchestra Jubilee Event, Vale Park

5 June | Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Big Lunch, Thornton Hough Village Green

5 June | Wallasey Village Queens Platinum Jubilee Garden Party, Wallasey Cricket Club

5 June | Heswall Jubilee Fete, Puddydale