PLENTY of people and groups in Denbighshire made efforts to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the British throne.
A beacon-lighting event, organised by Denbighshire County Council, took place to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee at Rhyl Events Area on Thursday, June 2, between 9-10pm.
The beacon was lit on the raised platform at the Events Arena, with the Denbighshire County Council chairman, Cllr Arwel Roberts, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Robert Jones, doing the honours.
Those in attendance included Vale of Clwyd MP, Dr James Davies, Vale of Clwyd MS, Gareth Davies, the mayor of Rhyl, Cllr Diane King, and the mayor of Prestatyn and Meliden, Cllr Tina Jones.
A piper played “Diu Regnare” as a personal tribute to the Queen, while a unique Bugle Call entitled “Majesty” was also played, before Cllr King later made closing remarks following the lighting of the beacon.
The beacon lighting was part of 1,500 events taking place throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories to recognise the Queen becoming the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, and to mark her 70-year reign.
To coincide with the lighting of the beacon, all present were invited to join in to sing the “Song for the Commonwealth – A Life Lived with Grace” which won the Commonwealth-wide song competition.
Dr Davies said: “The four days of Platinum Jubilee celebrations will be memorable for years to come, not only because of the major national events that were held but because of a multitude of festivities held locally, in every community.
"At times, we battled against the weather, but the effort put in by so many people was very evident to see.
"Thank you to all who got involved, and thank you especially to Her Majesty the Queen for her 70 years of flawless and devoted service to the country.”
A second beacon lighting also took place in Denbighshire to mark the Jubilee, at St Asaph Cathedral on the same evening.
Elsewhere, about 30 old and new members, helpers and representatives from the Vision Support office attended a Platinum Jubilee party to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign on Wednesday (June 1).
It was also attended by the new mayor of Prestatyn, Tina Jones, who was presented with a red, white and blue flower arrangement.
Meanwhile, the Abergele shop for St Asaph-based St Kentigern Hospice got into the Jubilee spirit by decorating its premises red, white and blue.
Wendyanne Routledge, shop manager added: “We came first in the Abergele Town Council window competition - volunteers were super pleased!”
Similarly, the North Clwyd Animal Rescue charity shop dressed its windows up patriotically:
Members of St Melyd Golf Club in Prestatyn also held the “Queen’s Platinum Invitation Competition” to mark the Jubilee on Thursday (June 2).
The club also had a fancy dress competition, won by Gabby Waring Jones.
And the Rhyl Carnival Jubilee Royal Family was crowned on Saturday, June 4, with titles including Jubilee Petal, Rosebud, Miss Rhyl Jubilee and, of course, Queen.
The full family was as follows:
- Rhyl Jubilee Prince: Lucas
- Rhyl Jubilee Baby: Clara Elizabeth
- Rhyl Jubilee Petal: Olivia-Mae
- Rhyl Jubilee Rosebud: Carly
- Rhyl Jubilee Princess: Holly
- Rhyl Jubilee Empress: Bella
- Miss Rhyl Jubilee: Tegan
- Rhyl Jubilee Queen: Grace-Leigh
This street party, on the aptly-titled Princess Elizabeth in Rhyl on Sunday, June 5, was one of many of its kind to take place across the region during the bank holiday:
A special musical Jubilee celebration was also arranged by Anton Sampson, who is also involved with the "Prestatyn Rocks" events, and was a great success despite the weather:
Indeed, in Prestatyn, a street party was held on The Circle on Sunday, with houses along the street and all coming together to plan and organise it.
Resident Deb Moore said: "We had a lovely response from the adjoining streets, and over 100 people attended.
"There was a royal quiz, which Matthew and Erin Moore won, a hook-a-duck, a buzzer game, corgi hoopla, a racing corgis game, and plenty of food and drink - a royal Jubilee time was had by all!
"The day was finished off by everyone watching the Wales vs Ukraine game on a TV set up, and everyone cheering when Wales won."
A Jubilee celebration involving a number of North Wales businesses also took place at Ysgol Penmorfa, Prestatyn last week to raise money for the school.
As well as these events, there was also a four-day Jubilee party at Marine Lake, Rhyl, and a Jubilee Arts Festival in Abergele on June 4-5.
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