The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated in style at St Michael’s Mount in June with events, including the lighting of a beacon to mark this historic occasion.
In advance of the event, five cherry trees and a magnolia have been planted on the island as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project to commemorate the Jubilee. There will be further trees planted on the wider St Aubyn Estate and the trees will be logged on the Queen’s Green Canopy map.
On Thursday 2 June a specially constructed beacon will be lit at 9.15 pm on the Mount as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons initiative.
It’s not the first time a beacon has been lit on the famous Cornish landmark. A beacon was lit on the top of the tower of the church on the Mount to warn of the imminent arrival of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and has been lit on national and royal occasions over the ensuing centuries, more recently this included marking Her Majesty’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees.
The huge brazier for the forthcoming beacon has been made on the island by one of the Mount’s boating team, Rob Wigley, and will be erected at the end of the western harbour and visible from Marazion beach where the spectacle can be enjoyed.
The island’s castle will also be spectacularly floodlit on each of the four evenings during the extended weekend of celebrations.
On Saturday 4 June, in the afternoon, there is a special opening of the Mount’s gardens in aid of the National Garden Scheme (NGS) from 1 pm until 4.30 pm, whilst the causeway is open. The historic, terraced gardens are owned by the St Aubyn family who has supported the NGS since 1954.
Rounding off the festivities on Sunday 5 June the St Aubyn Foundation, the family’s own charity which supports local good causes will be helping to stage The Big Lunch with Whole Again Communities and Treneere Team Spirit on the Princess Alexandra Recreation Ground, Penzance.
Prima Bakeries, Roskilly’s and Mount’s Bay Dairy have all generously provided everything required for a Cornish cream tea and St Michael’s Mount Head Chef, Greg Milne, will be creating a special Jubilee themed celebration cake for the event which takes place from 12 pm until 3 pm.
Tickets for the special garden opening are limited in number and must be purchased online in advance.
Picture credits: Claire Braithwaite
