National anthem is sung as night sky lights up
HUNDREDS of voices joined together in a rendition of God Save The Queen on Hayling Island seafront last night as a celebratory beacon was lit in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.
The crowds gathered next to the COPP memorial as the official beacon was lit simultaneously with others across the country.
The Lady Mayoress, councillor Diana Patrick, had the honour of lighting the beacon.
She said: 'To see so many people turn out has made my day. It is a very important occasion - we'll never see the likes of the Queen ever again. She has fulfilled every promise that she made.'
The Mayor’s Consort, James Spencer, added: 'We're both monarchists to our hearts. It’s so lovely to see that the feeling in the country is shared. People have made such an effort, but by God she deserves it.'
David and Patricia Kingham and their friends Jackie and Fred Clark, all Hayling residents, were decked out in Union Jack hats, t-shirts, and flags. Fred said: 'It's great, it gets everyone together. I love the Queen - when you think about what she's done for this country.'
Sisters Gillian Weeks and Sarah Botting were wrapped up against the sea breeze in a Union Jack patterned blanket. Gillian said: 'I really love the Queen - she feels like my Mum, who passed away a while ago. 'Mum had all the memorial mugs for the Queen.'
Councillor Clare Satchwell, who has been organising the event for the past few months, said: 'It is an incredible turnout. We've got to have hundreds of people here.'
'The biggest thing for us was getting a bagpiper. We rang about a hundred people and eventually got a brilliant bagpiper.
‘Although we tried we couldn't get a bugler.'
Instead, trumpeter Tony Flatman stepped in to save the day.
The official Platinum Jubilee song was performed by the Hayling Musical Society as well as the Hayling Youngstars, which is a group of around 21 youngsters aged from 10 to 18.
Hayley Wallige, a choir coach, said: 'It's a once-in-alifetime opportunity for them - and for all of us.'
Fellow coach Kim Budd said: 'It's been really important for them, and we thought it would be a lovely time for them.'
Clare continued: 'This is a first for Hayling. We don't think there's been a beacon lighting in living memory.
'I think the jubilee is something people want to support, and particularly after Covid, people want the opportunity to come together.’
Lee-on-the-Solent also saw massive crowds turn out to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as more than 5,000 revellers joined a giant street party ahead of the area’s own beacon lighting ceremony.
Marine Parade East by Manor Way saw the street lined with tables and chairs, food vans, and arts and crafts stalls, while Union Jack flags adorned everything from shop fronts to t-shirts.
Traders reported a manic day of trading, with one ice cream seller reporting that his van had seen a roaring trade well above a normal summer day’s worth of trading.