A Jubilee beacon will be lit at Darwen Tower to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign on the evening of Thursday, June 2nd.
The beacon is one of thousands being lit in the UK and the Commonwealth and forms part of the official programme announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee Weekend.
As part of the event, Jubilee Tower – which has undergone vital restoration works – will also be lit in red, white and blue.
Blackburn with Darwen Council has supported Darwen Scouts in arranging the event for residents.
Here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know about the event:
Timings
1pm: Proclamation by Town Crier in Darwen Market Square
9.38pm: Piper
9.40pm: Proclamation by Town Crier
9.43pm: Fanfare on Cornets played by Darwen Brass Band
9.45pm: Lighting of the Jubilee Beacon by competition winner
9.45pm: Singing of the National Anthem with Darwen Brass Band and raising of Union Flag on top of tower.
9.50pm: Various music and announcements
* Please note, these are a guide and could be subject to change
Need to know
As this is an evening event, it will be dark once the beacon is lit.
Here’s some top tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe:
- Please stick to the paths
Marshalls will be on the routes to the Tower from Bold Venture Park, Sunnyhurst Woods and Tockholes. Please stick to the main paths while walking to and from the Tower and keep a close eye on children.
- Bring a battery-powered torch
As well as the torch you may have on your phone, it’d be useful to bring a battery-powered one… as well as a flag, of course!
- Respect the countryside
It’s really important that you do not bring barbecues, sparklers, fireworks or anything with a naked flame on to the moors and be sure to take any rubbish home with you.
We’ve also been asked to remind you to not feed the farm animals on the moors – this can be dangerous for them.
- Wear suitable footwear
Please leave your flip-flops at home and wear sturdy footwear. The paths are often uneven and may be difficult to navigate – especially in the dark.
- Keep your eye on the weather
We all know that the weather in Darwen can be ‘changeable’ and that rain is often likely. In the event of bad weather and as a very last resort, the event may need to be cancelled at short notice. Follow Blackburn with Darwen Council on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
Watch from home
For those who are unable to make it to the Tower or would prefer to watch from home, the event will be live-streamed on the BwD Council’s Facebook page.
This is being done be Darwen-based Retinair.
Be sure to follow the Council’s page now for all of the latest updates on the live-streaming.
Beacon lighting competition
Was won by Janet Pearce of the Keep Darwen Tidy Group. Congratulations to Janet.