Council Marks the Queen's 90th Birthday
April 21, 2016
In honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 90th Birthday, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council held a Beacon Lighting Ceremony this evening, in Castle Gardens, Lisburn.
The Lord Lieutenant of Co Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie OBE and the Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett, officiated at the Beacon Lighting Ceremony. Elected Members of Council and the Council’s Chief Executive, Dr Theresa Donaldson were in attendance.
The Beacon Lighting in Lisburn joined with more than1,000 Beacon Lightings across the United Kingdom.
A personal message from HRH the Prince of Wales was read to those assembled and the Mayor delivered a message of thanks for the Queen’s dedicated and constant service on the occasion of her birthday.
The Council also unveiled a banner on its Civic Headquarters building, Lagan Valley Island, prior to the Beacon Lighting, to launch events and initiatives it will hold in honour of the Queen’s 90th Birthday.
Details were made available of Celebration Community Grants in early April to local community groups in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area.
An exhibition to open in the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum on Monday 25th April will look back at the Queen’s 90 years. This will include displays of royal memorabilia, images and literature relating to royal visits to Lisburn and footage from Lisburn Camera Club’s 1953 film ‘A Royal Occasion’, a step back in time, showing Lisburn at the time of the Queen’s Coronation.
The Mayor will host Afternoon Tea for all those senior citizens in the Lisburn & Castlereagh Council Area who reach the age of 90 during 2016 and further information on this will be made available next week.
The Council will also host a 21 Gun Royal Salute on Saturday 11th June in Hillsborough Fort. There will be some 1500 free-of-charge tickets which will be made available for members of the public to attend the event. The Council will promote details regarding the release of the tickets in mid-May.
A Civic Event will also take place in Hillsborough Castle on 11th June, where representatives from the local community, business, education and voluntary sectors will be invited to attend.
Councillor Thomas Beckett said: “On behalf of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council we wish Queen Elizabeth II a very happy birthday.
“Her Majesty is one of the most revered persons in the world, and, as our longest-reigning Monarch, has carried out her role with a calm dignity and a steadfast assurance which endears her to so many.”
Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee, said: “I am very pleased that the Council is marking this very important occasion with the Beacon Lighting Ceremony, and, with other initiatives planned over the next two months.
“We were delighted that the Queen officially opened our Lagan Valley Island Council headquarters some 15 years ago and her visit will feature in the Exhibition.
“Queen Elizabeth has devoted her life to royal service and it is a privilege and honour to be part of the UK-wide celebrations on the occasion of her 90th birthday.”
The Council will release further information and promotion on initiatives in the coming weeks.
