Published Friday 22 April 2022 at 14:55
Blackburn with Darwen Council is inviting residents to nominate a worthy candidate to light a Jubilee beacon at Darwen Tower.
The Council is supporting Darwen Scouts to organise the beacon lighting on the evening of Thursday, June 2nd, as part of a national event to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign.
Nominations could be for anyone from community heroes to those with links to the Jubilee – perhaps residents celebrating their 70th birthday this year or someone called Elizabeth.
You can nominate now by clicking this link and filling in a short form.
The beacon lighting will also mark the official unveiling of the Jubilee Tower following restoration works funded by Darwen Town Deal, Darwen Rotary and Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Martin Eden, Strategic Director for Environment and Operations, said: “As a borough, we’re looking forward to marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.
“It’s an incredible feat that the Queen is the first British Monarch in history to have reigned for 70 years.
“One of the real highlights of the local celebrations will be the lighting of a beacon at Darwen Tower – which will be officially unveiled after vital restoration works.
“We’re working hard with Darwen Scouts to organise a safe and enjoyable event and we thought it would be fitting to invite residents to nominate a worthy candidate to light the beacon itself.
“It’s part of a long tradition used to mark Royal Jubilees, Royal Weddings and Coronations and residents will be able to see it from far and wide.”
Due to the nature of the event, nominations must be for residents over the age of 18.
Transport to the Tower on the night can be made available if needed.
Organisers are inviting nominations for residents who live in the borough who will be available on the evening of June 2nd.
Martin added: “Blackburn with Darwen is a proud and patriotic borough and I know residents will be looking forward to events right across the extended, Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.
“On the Thursday, Blackburn with Darwen Brass Band are also hosting a street party on Darwen Market Square.
“Cherry Tree Cricket Club will host the town’s biggest Jubilee Garden Party on the Sunday and Darwen Live has been moved to that weekend too.
“There’ll be lots going on right across the borough and we’re encouraging residents to take part by hosting their own street parties or Big Lunches.
“Of course, we really want to see people’s nominations for who they’d like to light the beacon too – we’re already looking forward to reading them.”
A full list of Platinum Jubilee events and activities – including a Darwen Rotary competition for schools – can be found by clicking this link.
The restoration of Darwen Tower will be officially unveiled at the beacon lighting after months of specialist work.
The 124-year-old Grade II-listed Jubilee Tower was built in 1898 by public subscription to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and to mark residents’ right to roam the moors.
More than £225,000 was pledged for the works through the Darwen Town Deal with a further £70,000 raised by Darwen Rotary through resident donations and £10,000 from Blackburn with Darwen Council.
To find out more about Darwen Town Deal, please visit: www.darwentowndeal.co.uk