MORE than 250 people gathered at Northfield’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital tonight for the lighting of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee beacon.
Prior to the big moment at 9.45pm – when many of the other 2,022 beacons across the UK and the Commonwealth were also lit – there was a whole evening of entertainment and refreshments.
Visitors, staff and patients could view the Platinum Jubilee Gallery and listen to a string quartet.
With 15 minutes to go to the lighting there was a performance by a piper of ‘Diu Regnare’ written by Pipe Major Stuart Liddell Glenfiddich – Champion Piper – especially for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
The ‘Majesty’ bugle call – written by Bugler Sgt AW Carlisle, from the Northern Ireland-based Hillsborough Fort Guard.
The master of ceremonies was Nuneaton and Bedworth Town Crier Paul Gough.
The evening also featured the National Anthem and concluded with an impressive firework display which also included an illuminated heart with ‘NHS’ in the centre.
Picture by Tristan Harris.
The CEO of the hospital trust Jo Williams gave a speech, praising the wonderful ‘ROH’ team and thanking everyone for organising the event and making it such a success.
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Trust was one of only two in the country to have been chosen to light a beacon.
Afterwards proud Jo told the Standard: “It was just amazing.
“It was lovely to look around and see so many people enjoying the celebration – you could see how much it meant to everyone to get together in this way.”
The hospital and its grounds had also been decorated with woolen yarn-bombing style creations with royal themes.
