Rayleigh residents played their part in celebrating HM The Queen’s 90th Birthday recently with the lighting of the beacon opposite the Mill Hall – one of hundreds lit around the country on the evening of 21st April 2016.
The lighting up ceremony was performed by Councillor Jack Lawmon, the Vice Chairman of Rochford District Council, supported by Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois and the Chairman of Rayleigh Town Council, Councillor Julie Sawford. A crowd of local residents gathered around the beacon on the Thursday evening to watch the lighting up ceremony and to pay their respects to the Queen.
Prior to the lighting up, Councillor Lawmon read out a special message of thanks from HRH the Prince of Wales and the assembled company also sang the National Anthem and a special rendition of Happy Birthday for Her Majesty.
Speaking about the event, Mark Francois MP said:
“Rayleigh residents are a pretty patriotic lot and HM The Queen is very popular in the Town. Given this, I think it was very fitting that Rayleigh participated in the beacon lighting ceremony around the country to mark The Queen’s 90th Birthday. It was wonderful to be part of this very special event and I hope all those who were involved will remember it for a very long time to come.”