Following a Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary, on the afternoon of Thursday, 2nd June, there was a 7 o’clock lighting of the Platinum Jubilee Beacon at Connor’s Park, on Meads Bay beach, to symbolise Anguilla’s togetherness with the UK and other countries of the Commonwealth.
In the UK, there is a longstanding tradition which celebrates occasions such as royal jubilees, weddings and coronations with the lighting of beacons. On that same evening, Thursday, 2nd June, beacons were lit all across Great Britain, and the Commonwealth, to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee – seventy years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign – the longest tenure of a British monarch.
At Windsor Castle, that Thursday evening, a special formal ceremony was held to symbolically light all beacons across the world. The Commonwealth of Nations Globe was ceremoniously placed on a podium before Her Majesty the Queen. As she laid her right hand on the globe, it triggered off a series of zig-zagging light bulbs which were spontaneously illuminated along the lawn in swift succession. This represented the unity of the UK and the Commonwealth nations.
Here in Anguilla, a modest gathering witnessed Her Excellency Gov. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam lighting our beacon, on Meads Bay beach, in recognition of Her Majesty’s reign. Simultaneous with the lighting, the National Anthem was melodiously sung. The governor then raised a toast to her majesty’s honour.
Speaking to those witnessing at the lighting, Her Excellency stated: “I would like to welcome everyone here this evening as we pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen on the momentous occasion of her Platinum Jubilee – marking 70years of dedicated public service.
“I am delighted that the beacon lighting this evening in Anguilla has brought together our community to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen as part of the official Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations. Over 2000 beacons and bonfires will be lit across the Overseas Territories, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in recognition of Her Majesty’s long and selfless service.”
The Governor continued: “What is evident from all the celebrations taking place around the globe is the volume of respect and admiration for the Queen, felt personally by so many including those of us here in Anguilla. Her dedication to public service with the epitome of dignity, grace and a firmness of purpose has instilled an impressive focus for loyalty that endures across each generation.”
As the evening grew older, the lighting of the beacon turned out to be more of a social event on the tranquil beach, rather than an event of a formal setting. The remainder of the evening was spent as a time of socialising and community camaraderie while the beacon burned.
