The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration
On Thursday 21st April 2016, a number of civic events took place in order to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday. In Huntingdon, the Chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council, and the Mayor of Huntingdon, hosted a flag raising ceremony outside of Castle Hill House.
Shipmates Bill Small (Parading the Branch Standard), Graham Murray, and Karl Webb attended the service which began with a procession escorting the Mayor of Huntingdon from the Town Hall to Castle Hill House. The Royal British Legion and Royal Air Force Association were also in attendance and paraded their Branch Standards.
Once the Mayor’s procession had arrived at Huntingdonshire District Council’s HQ, VIPs, Standard Bearers and guests had time to catch up before the Flag raising ceremony was to begin at 1000.
The Chairman of HDC, Cllr Peter Bucknell, welcomed all guests before handing over to The Deputy Lieutenant, Michael G. Williamson, who gave a speech on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.
The Blessing of the Flag and prayers was conducted by the Reverend Garry Dawson-Jones before the flag was raised and Military Association Standards lowered in a mark of respect.
Association Standards were brought to the Carry…
…and then lowered as the Union Flag was hoisted.
Further speeches were given by the Mayor of Huntingdon and the Chair of HDC before guests were invited to join the procession heading back to the Town Hall for refreshments.
The celebrations did not stop there. During the evening, Her Majesty The Queen lit a Beacon in London which, in turn, began a series of Beacon lighting events throughout the country, the Mayor of Huntingdon lit Huntingdon’s Town Beacon at Castle Hills.
The Mayor was joined at the Town Beacon by VIPs and Councillors — including the Reverend (shipmate) Andrew Milton. Residents and visitors gathered round to wathc the Beacon being lit.
The National Anthem was played and three cheers were given to celebrate Her Majesty’s birthday.
