Honiton: Trainers at the ready! Thursday’s historic beacon lighting is all set to go

On Thursday the country will begin a four-day bank holiday to celebrate the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth.

One of the most special events that Honiton has organised is the lighting of a Jubilee Beacon, which will take place at 9.45pm on Roundball Hill.

The access to the top of Roundball Hill is via footpaths from Battishorne Way. There is access through the woods, or the other footpath comes up the side of the hill through the field.

Cllr Kate Cloke is part of the Jubilee Committee. She told Nub News: "The path from Roundball Lane is open but there is no parking for the public as only a couple of spaces which are needed for the equipment.

"Access to Roundball Hill is limited so it is more for the more able people of the community unfortunately, due to its location. It is a farmer's field so there is no parking on the hill.

"Due to the time of the event, a torch would be helpful as there is no lighting on the hill."

The beacon on Roundball Hill will make up part of 1,500 beacons that will be lit across the UK, Channel Islands, Overseas Territories, and, for the first time, in major cities across the Commonwealth.

Before they are lit, town criers, buglers, choirs and pipers will perform specially commissioned music.

Honiton is part of an East Devon beacon chain and the other sites are:

-         Millennium Green, Ottery St. Mary

-         Evergreen Hill, Sidbury

-         The North Wall, Lyme Regis

-         Cliff Field Gardens, Seaton

-         Sidmouth Esplanade

-         Orcombe Point, Exmouth

-         Jubilee Beacon (just off Topsham Quay)

-         Firebeacon, Sidmouth. The last time a beacon was lit here was 1690 and it is the original location of Sidmouth's Armada Beacon.

History of Beacon lighting

The Royal Family have long since lit beacons to celebrate milestones such as weddings and jubilees. In 2016 900 beacons were lit to celebrate The Queen's 90th birthday. They were also lit for her Silver Jubilee in 1977, Golden Jubilee in 2002 and the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

In 1897 Queen Victoria also lit beacons around the country to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee and they were also lit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in 1995.

Read more:

Honiton: Here is the full schedule of what is happening for the Queen's Jubilee

Honiton: Here is a full list of road closures for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee