An awe-inspiring film showcasing a series of Queen’s platinum jubilee beacon lighting sites in Cumbria and South West Scotland has been released.
The short film was drawn together by Carlisle City Council’s Discover Carlisle team with the support of partners across the Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland areas.
Beacon lighting is shown in Annan, Port Carlisle, Haverigg Airfield, the Beacon Museum, Whitehaven, Lanercost Priory, Brampton, Bowness on Solway, Muncaster, Senhouse Museum, near Maryport, Birdoswald Roman Fort, Muncaster Castle and Carlisle Castle.
The film is designed to bring together communities across Cumbria and Hadrian’s Wall. Some of the lighting of Beacons was completed ahead of the jubilee to allow as many partners and sites as possible on the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site to be involved, and to provide a powerful and lasting legacy for the Platinum Jubilee.
Footage showcasing last night’s event at Carlisle Castle will also be included soon. This will show the mayor of Carlisle Mike Mitchelson and mayoress Anne Mitchelson lighting beacons on the bridge in front of the castle, accompanied by Carlisle army cadets.
Building on a long tradition of lighting beacons to mark significant royal celebrations, more than 2,022 Jubilee Beacons were lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and within the Commonwealth countries on the first evening of the four-day jubilee weekend. The beacons enable local communities to join together and pay tribute to Her Majesty as part of the official programme of events.
Communities along the length of Hadrian’s Wall took part in this unique celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee made even more significant as it falls in the same year as our Hadrian 1900 festival, commemorating Hadrian arriving in northern Britain to supervise the building of his Wall in AD122
Councillor Stephen Higgs, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and leisure, said: “Working with partners, our Discover Carlisle team has ensured that Carlisle and the region were illuminated as part of the national celebration.
“Hadrian’s Wall was centre stage as was Carlisle Castle.
“The legacy film shows sites across the border in Annan and areas in Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland. It’s a fitting tribute and has been brilliantly executed. Thanks to all those involved in bringing it together.”
Carlisle’s jubilee celebrations continue on Sunday, when Bitts Park hosts a free event.
The community celebration will be held from 10.30am and will include a giant screen, family activities and community stalls.
The village of Brough Sowerby in the Eden Valley was the location of one of the nations registered Beacons to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee. The bonfire was well attended by local villagers – along with three families on holiday in the area who were welcomed to join in the celebration. The beacon was lit by Brough Sowerby’s oldest resident, 96-year-old Evelyn Dent.
Heavy rain failed to dampen spirits at the lighting of beacons in Penrith, which included one at Fairhill above Penrith – and at event organised by Clifton Community Council to illuminate the iconic beacon which overlooks the town. Beacons from communities stretching across the Eden Valley were also visible for miles around.
And in Brampton, a large crowd gathered on top of the Moat to watch as a beacon was lit to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee. The forecast rain held off allowing the good natured crowd to watch as Jenni Errington, leader of Brampton Parish Council, lit the beacon while a piper played a number of tunes.
At Muncaster Castle, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Hadrian himself arrived by chariot to pay homage to Britannia’s longest reigning monarch.
Hadrian lit a beacon on the hill between Muncaster Castle and the village of Ravenglass as part of the celebrations. Hadrian’s trusty bodyguard Maximus fired Muncaster Castle’s cannon to salute the Queen before the skies lit up with a brilliant firework display from Cumbrian pyrotechnician, Lord Foppletwig.
Citizens of Hadrian’s northern frontier gave a rousing three cheers for the Queen and were warmed by the blazing beacon and various Roman goddesses
dispensing mulled wine.
