Abbey ruins venue for Reading ceremony

READING’S Mayor, Cllr Rachel Eden, was one of thousands to mark the Platinum Jubilee by lighting a beacon on Thursday.

Nearly 200 people gathered in Reading’s Abbey Ruins to watch as Cllr Eden ignited one of the 3,500 beacons which were lit across the globe as night fell.

As well as those attending, a group of around 30 formed behind the courtyard to watch the ceremony as it took place in the ruins of the chapter house.

The event was also livestreamed on Reading Borough Council’s Facebook page.

After a short address by the mayor and the deputy lieutenant, Felicity Rutland, guests were treated to a performance of Song for the Commonwealth by Reading Male Voice Choir.

The choir has also taken part in an international release of the song, which features vocal performances from groups across the commonwealth, where they were one of just 20 groups to appear in the video singing to celebrate the occasion.

They where followed by Pipe Major Alan Vaugh, who played Diu Regnare on the bagpipes, and Cadet Freddie Shaw from the Berkshire Cadet Unit, who marked the ceremony with a bugle call.

At 9.45pm, Cllr Eden lit the beacon.

She said: “I was a little nervous, to be honest, but it was such a moving moment.

“And to be in such a beautiful part of Reading, surrounded by people, I think it’s a very special weekend.”

She continued: “We’re celebrating, but it felt quite reflective.

“It’s wonderful to think that as we were lighting the beacon, 3,000 other places are doing exactly the same thing.

“We’re all distinctive, and we have our own traditions, but we all came together to mark that one moment. That was really special.”

The lighting of the beacons was proclaimed by the town crier earlier in the day, following a 30-minute peal of the bells at Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin, led by Steve Rossiter.

Town crier Nigel Hopkins was joined by the Bishop of Reading, the Revd Olivia Graham, and two archdeacons, as he announced the event at 2pm outside the church.