Next week the BBC will be coming to the Isle of Wight to film a variety of Bembridge community activities getting ready to celebrate the Jubilee in style.
This is planned to be shown as a part of the Jubilee beacon lighting programme, on Thursday evening 2nd June, where more than 1,500 hundred beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, UK overseas territories and in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth.
Special dispensation to light earlier
The Bembridge beacon organisers have been given a special dispensation by the Queen’s Jubilee Pageantmaster, Bruno Peek, to light their Beacon 30 minutes early at 9.15pm to enable it to be filmed and uploaded in time for the national and commonwealth coverage at 9.45pm.
Historic significance
The beacon at Culver Down is of historic significance being one of the main ones used to warn of the Spanish Armada in 1588 when a fleet of 130 Spanish warships sailed to try and invade England and overthrow Queen Elizabeth I.
When spotted, these beacons, manned by full time watchers, were lit one after the other to send the warning signal of invasion to London.
First installed for 1977 Jubilee events
The current Culver Beacon at the top of the National Trust’s land above the old gun emplacements, is believed to have been installed for the Queen’s first Jubilee event in 1977. It has been used for anniversaries and celebrating the winter solstice ever since.
Sadly the ravages of the salt-laden South Westerlies hitting the downs for the past 50 years had taken their toll and the whole top of the post and bottom of the basket needed replacing.
It has now been totally refurbished and reinstalled on Culver Down, thanks to the generosity of Kevin Coghlan transport, the Forge at Cowes and Dave the harbour welder.
The celebrations
The evening now starts at the earlier time of 8.45pm with the especially appointed for the day, Bembridge Town Crier, Robert Barnes, in full Scottish regalia, undertaking the Royal Proclamation. This is followed by local GP Doctor Cooney, also clad in tartan, playing the especially commissioned piece ‘Diu Regnare’.
A unique Bugle Call ‘Majesty’, played by Irene Burrow, will herald the Beacon lighting ceremony for the BBC and the blessing of the Jubilee event by the Rev. Steve Daughtery.
Lighting the torch
For the lighting itself, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Caroline Peel will be joined by a local scout chosen for their outstanding community work. They will light the torch that will be stretched up to the beacon at 9.15pm.
This will be accompanied by the Shiners singing ‘A Life Lived with Grace’. They are a local group, set up by Zeta Bishop, to encourage, as she says, people of more mature years (the eldest being Don on tambourine 94), to come and share their gifts and enjoyment of music.
Ceremonial cutting of the Beacon Tart
Following the lighting will be the ceremonial cutting of the Beacon Tart by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant. This will be baked to the Jubilee recipe for English tarts by The Culver Haven Inn.
The tarts, seven in total, will then cut into ten pieces representing the 70 years of the Queens reign and will be handed out to people on the night.
What the community film includes
The BBC community film will include, amongst others, children from Bembridge Church of England Primary School with their preparations including getting ready for the Crown and Tiara competition, scouts from 1st Bembridge troop, the two WIs who are organising special Jubilee goody bags to give out to residents of care homes in the area and other local Jubilee organisers, such as Parish Counsellor Lady Harriett Brabazon (pictured at top) and beacon organiser, Andrew Holman (pictured at top).
Four days packed with events
The whole four days of the Jubilee are packed with other events including, a street fair on Thursday afternoon, open gardens, craft fair, church flower festival, concerts, the Bembridge Burlesque dancers at the Village Inn, a harbour day on the Saturday with parade of Bembridge scows and various children’s games and activities as well as the chance to visit a houseboat for cup of tea to watch the boats go by.
To catch up on event details and times please see the Bembridge Community Notice Board on Facebook or the Parish Council Website.
Article edit
5.40pm 12th May 2022 – Date is first para changed to next week
News shared by Andrew Holman, in his own words. Ed
Image: Jed and his team from Coghlan transport with Lady Brabazon and Andrew Holman
