Jubilee beacons to light up Hampshire tonight

Flames from dozens of beacons will flicker in the night sky across the Daily Echo area from 10.15pm tonight as the nation continues to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Thousands will watch the coordinated ceremony across the south – and they will be doing exactly the same as 4,000 other communities around Britain.

Some 40 flames will be lit up across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight including at Nursling, Colden Common, West End, Chandler’s Ford and Fair Oak.

The same will happen in the New Forest communities of Exbury, Holbury, Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Bramshaw.

Beacons have also been set up in Winchester, Alresford, Lockerley, Wickham and Titchfield.

As crowds marvel at the nighttime spectacular in the south, the national event will culminate in The Queen herself lighting the National Beacon on the Mall at Buckingham Palace.

Hampshire residents will be coming out in force during the day to enjoy the build-up to the dazzling ceremony.

In Nursling, hundreds are expected to gather for a day of entertainment featuring vintage vehicles, dog shows, games and live acts.

And in Netley Abbey, there will be an old fashioned “Knees Up” event – with the winner of a talent competition handed the honour of lighting the village’s beacon tonight.

Organiser Mark Dallimore, said: “I think for the community this is a fantastic opportunity for young and old to come together. These days we don’t seem to do a lot of that.

“But this day will mean a lot to a lot of people. We want as many as possible to come along and get involved.

“It is important that we share in what is an historic moment for the country.”