A skilled engineer is crafting a magnificent beacon to pay tribute to the Queen on her 70th jubilee.
John Jones usually maintains tractors and other farm machinery at Haines Hill Estate in Hurst where he has worked for over 40 years.
Now he is using his metalwork skills to create the beacon which will be lit to launch Hurst’s four-day platinum jubilee celebrations starting on Thursday, June 2.
Haines Hill Estate read about the Hurst jubilee team’s appeal in Wokingham Today for a craftsperson to make a beacon.
Their offer was readily accepted by the jubilee organisers Hurst Parish Council.
Engineer John said: “We have found 22 cm diameter steel pipe, used before in oil and gas wells, to make a strong support pole.
“The beacon is going to be unique. It’s made to the official design but will have four crosses around the top.”
The crosses are based on the cross in St Edward’s crown worn by the Queen at her coronation.
The crown, centrepiece of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, is part of the official jubilee emblem.
A Haines Hill spokesperson said: “The crosses make it slightly different from every other beacon in the country.
“We’re delighted to support the village like this.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the village to come together for a very special occasion.
“We’re huge supporters of the royal family.”
Hurst parish councillor Paul Palmer said: “The beacon will be a permanent feature so it can be used by the village for other special occasions like the Queen’s birthday, coronations or Armistice Day.”
On Thursday, June 2, a procession will go from Hurst pond to Church Hill, where the beacon will have been erected in the community orchard.
It will be lit at 9.45pm.
It’s planned to have St Nicholas Church bells ringing.
Handbells will ring the national anthem and a piper will play Diu Regnare (meaning Long to reign), a tune composed by Stuart Liddell for the jubilee.
