Beacon lighting at Guildhall to mark Queen’s 90th birthday

A beacon will be lit for the Queen in Swansea later this week to help celebrate her 90th birthday.

The beacon lighting ceremony, being led by Swansea Council, will take place at the Guildhall rotunda area from 8.30pm on Thursday April 21.

Band music will be played before a welcoming address from Swansea’s Lord Mayor, Cllr John Newbury. Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, D Byron Lewis, will then read a birthday message from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales before guests are invited to sing God Save the Queen.

The singing will be followed by the Lord Mayor lighting the beacon, accompanied by Kathryn Flower, an award-winning warrant officer at the 215 (City of Swansea) Squadron Air Cadets.

The band will play Happy Birthday while the beacon is being lit.

Lord Mayor Cllr Newbury said: “In lighting the beacon later this week, Swansea will be joining in similar celebrations taking place throughout the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the UK’s overseas territories. This is a fitting way of celebrating the 90th birthday of a monarch who’s served with distinction for over 60 years.

“The tenure of the Queen’s reign, which stretches all the way back to 1953, means many people across Swansea and further afield have never known another monarch on the throne. This speaks volumes not just for Her Majesty’s longevity, but also for her unwavering sense of duty and commitment over the course of seven decades.

“The beacon lighting ceremony will generate a terrific atmosphere that befits this landmark occasion.”

Hundreds of locations across the UK will be taking part in similar beacon lighting ceremonies on the evening of Thursday April 21. Other Swansea landmarks participating include Cefn Bryn on Gower at 8.30pm, being organised by the Gower Young Farmers Club, and Oystermouth Castle at 9pm, being organised by Mumbles Community Council.