The UK celebrated a unique milestone on 2 June – Her Majesty The Queen’s 70th year as the country’s monarch and head of the Commonwealth. The Platinum Jubilee is a feat no previous British monarch has achieved.
In recognition of her long service, more than 2,022 beacons were lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, plus one in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries. The beacons enabled local communities, individuals and organisations to pay tribute to her as part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place up and down the country from 2-5 June.
The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) was delighted to be taking part, lighting a special Platinum Jubilee beacon on the roof of Freemasons’ Hall at 9:45pm on 2 June. Earlier that day, town criers were invited to undertake a proclamation announcing the lighting of the beacons later that evening.
UGLE was also a key corporate sponsor of the official Platinum Jubilee Pageant commemorative album, a limited-edition publication that included four pages on Freemasonry and its strong connection to royalty. It was presented as a gift to all VIP and senior guests during the pageant and was also on sale to the public over the weekend through a national newspaper. In addition, complimentary copies were made available to members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, special advisers, researchers and staff across Westminster and Whitehall, government agencies and members of the European and Commonwealth parliaments, plus universities, colleges and schools across the UK and Commonwealth.
Several Provinces planned special events to commemorate the Jubilee. In West Kent, members joined the Order of Women Freemasons at the festivities in Tunbridge Wells, which included a colourful carnival, and ran a Jubilee celebration and information stall. In Somerset, Freemasons celebrated with charitable dinners, while Devonshire Freemasons held a tea party. A celebratory cream tea was also the order of the day at Dorset Freemasons, in Poole Masonic Hall.
Elsewhere, Freemasons in Essex helped a local primary school to celebrate by donating numerous prizes and art sets for winners of a competition to create something ‘regal or royal’. Meanwhile in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Freemasons organised a dinner featuring the Royal Marines Association Concert Band.
Further north, Durham Freemasons enjoyed beacon-lighting events in four different areas – Wingate, Bearpark, Chopwell and Weardale. Cumbria and Westmorland also lit beacons across the Province.
Ian Chandler, chair of UGLE’s Communications and Marketing Working Party, said, ‘It’s a great honour to take part in the Platinum Jubilee; Freemasonry has always had a strong relationship with the royal family. We are delighted that our members and communities were excited about taking part and it was great seeing them getting involved, showing the nation just how proud we are of Her Majesty The Queen.’
