Diamond Jubilee Beacons Campaign

Churches across the UK are set to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this June, by lighting a series of Beacons around the country.

Premier Christian Radio, the London based Christian broadcaster, is backing the campaign which aims to see a thousand Jubilee beacon fires lit in churchyards throughout the British Isles.

The lighting of beacons is a traditional way of celebrating royal jubilees, and in 1977 and 2002 beacons were lit to mark the Silver and Gold Jubilees of Queen Elizabeth II.

The only other Diamond Jubilee celebration was in 1897 when Queen Victoria, the great, great-grandmother of the current monarch, celebrated 60 years on the throne.

Now campaigners are urging all churches with suitable buildings or land to apply to take part in the nationwide event.

The celebration comes after the Queen gave a frank and open account of her personal faith in her televised Christmas speech.

The speech led to her being dubbed ‘the country’s most listened to evangelist’ by some observers.

Churches, chapels and cathedrals of all denominations, are being urged to apply for specially designed, gas fired beacons which they will light on June 4th.

Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Christian Media Trust said: “Our vision is for churches across the nation to gather their communities together for this happy occasion. It’s a fantastic opportunity for churches to become actively involved in this unique occasion and to lead their communities in the celebrations.”

The beacons, which have been specially designed to be robust and stable in the wind, can be used on any suitable flat surface on or near the church premises. Churches wishing to host beacons must apply by March 31st.

Beacons must be supervised at all times, and churches will be responsible for providing the gas to power the beacon, and a fire extinguisher in case of emergencies.