THE Harwich Society will be lighting a beacon to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The beacon will be lit in Cliff Park, Dovercourt, on the evening of Thursday, June 2.

It 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.

Colin Farnell, chairman of the Harwich Society, will light the beacon.

He will be accompanied by a piper and the 4th Dovercourt Sea Scouts, who will be assisting by marshalling the event.

“The lighting of Harwich’s beacon is always a moving and poignant occasion as it links centuries of history with celebrations of the present,” said Mr Franell.

“The Harwich Society is delighted to be playing a part in our historic town’s celebrations of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.”

The beacon, which will be lit at 9.45pm, is one of more than 2,000 being lit by charities, communities and faith groups all over the UK.

In addition, beacons will be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals and the Principal Beacon lighting will take place in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening.

This will take the form of a lighting installation with The Queen’s Green Canopy ’Tree of Trees’ sculpture and projections onto the front of Buckingham Palace.

Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster of The Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Beacons, said: “Building on a long tradition of lighting beacons to mark significant royal celebrations, thousands of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth.

“They will enable local communities to join together to pay tribute to Her Majesty as part of the official programme of events.

“It is wonderful to see the range of support for beacon lighting, which will highlight both the diversity and unity of the nation and the Commonwealth.

“The Queen has lit up our lives for 70 years through her dedicated service and commitment.

“We would like to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour.”