Beacon at Hurst Castle

clcick image to enlarge

Hurst Castle was chosen to be one of the 2012 official sites countrywide to host a Beacon to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and they were given a precise time of 10.26pm to light the Beacon.

The Beacon was arranged and constructed by ‘The Friends of Hurst Castle’ who are a volunteer support organisation to the Castle and have, over the years, arranged for many of the various exhibits in the castle to be opened up for visitors.

Members of the Friends’ arrived well before the Beacon lighting up time and held a celebratory BBQ in the Castle complete with community singing in the Garrison Theatre led by Milford resident Adrian Dence, who at the age of 13 was the Deputy Head Chorister at St George’s Chapel in Windsor and sang at the Queen’s Coronation. Adrian was ably assisted by Penny Tyas and Nicky Hok.

At about 10pm the Friends emerged from the Castle to be joined by many who had walked along the Spit for the occasion and swelled the gathering to around 200 to watch Sean and Mary Crane, the managers of Hurst Castle, the Ferries and the Lighthouse, light the Beacon promptly at 10.26pm.

The Beacon and the fire underneath very quickly started burning, such that it was easily sighted from Highcliffe, some 6 miles away.

For more details of the Friends of Hurst Castle, please see:

www.hurstcastle.co.uk or call 01590 674921