Lighting of the Civic Memorial Beacon - Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Come along to start the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations with lighting of Civic Memorial Beacon.

Celebrations to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Ashford will begin with the lighting of the Civic Memorial Beacon in Civic Park on Thursday 2 June 2022 at 9:45pm.

Joining towns, cities and villages from all four corners of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Commonwealth, there will be 1,500 Platinum Jubilee beacons lit to mark this unique milestone in our nation’s history, the Queen’s 70-year reign.

The beacon lighting event, which starts at 9pm and is free to attend, will also see trees in Civic Park being lit up in celebratory red, white, and blue with the Civic Park sign lit up in purple and white – the colours of the Platinum Jubilee.

Residents will also be able to have a first look at the decorated trees in Civic Park which form part of the Ashford Tree Trail. Six trees will be decorated with recycled decorations celebrating the Queen and her achievements, made by artists from Animate Arts and local schools and community groups.

You can get involved too, by adding your wishes of goodwill to the Queen on the Jubilee Blossom Tree - the tree is being made from recycled materials such as cardboard and paper and will be also be lit up.

Goodwill messages will be written on seeded paper which will be later planted in Civic Park to create a small wild flower area.

All will be accompanied by pre-recorded music to celebrate the seven decades of the Queen’s life.

At the test lighting of the civic memorial beacon which took place earlier this month,  The Mayor of Ashford Cllr Callum Knowles and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Gerry Clarkson were presented with new shields for the beacon which carry the official platinum jubilee emblem.

Pictures above - Mayor of Ashford, Cllr. Callum Knowles and Leader of Ashford Borough Council, Cllr. Gerry Clarkson.

Leader of Ashford Borough Council, Cllr Gerry Clarkson, said “The lighting of beacons to mark significant royal occasions is a long and important tradition and at Ashford Borough Council we are pleased to be able to play our part and join with the rest of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth in marking this incredibly significant milestone.

We encourage residents to come and watch the lighting of the Civic Memorial Beacon and join with us to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”

Don’t forget – there will be free parking in all Ashford Borough Council carparks across the Platinum Jubilee weekend 2 June – 5 June.

To keep up to date with the latest details for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations visit the Ashford Celebrates webpage.

Ashford Celebrates celebration stories and photographs can be shared via social media by using the hashtag #AshfordCelebrates and tagging @AshfordBoroughCouncil on Facebook, @AshfordCouncil on Twitter and @Ashfordbc on Instagram.