We were one of 70 Girlguiding Beacons lit across the UK on the 2nd June 2022, to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. Over 50 volunteers were involved in the organising and running of the County event held at Willow Tree Centre, led by Assistant County Commissioner Marian Brown. We were fortunate to be joined at the event by The Deputy Mayor of Hillingdon Councillor Shehyrar Ahmad-Wallana and Mayor Escot Tooba Wallana who were taken round the event by Jennifer Maidment, County Commissioner for Middlesex North West.
Before the lighting of the beacon, we had our Share the Light, led by Valerie Copenhagen and supported by Bethan Hull, Helen Boyes and Jane Middleton. They led the attendees in some popular campfire songs, encouraging them to get up from their seats and sing along. Attendees also had the chance to toast some s’mores with the Deputy Mayor and Mayor Escot also having a go.
The Willow Tree Centre house was a hive of activity with refreshments including the Jubilee pie. We also had our Willow Tree shop and special commemorative Willow Tree Platinum Jubilee badges being sold.
As the light started to fade, the field was sprinkled with the light of glow sticks and crowns, complemented by our roaring campfire. In the lead up to the event, we ran a competition amongst our young members within the County asking them what it would mean to light the beacon. The Deputy Mayor presented our winner Jasmine from 1st Headstone Rainbows with a certificate celebrating her achievement. The Deputy Mayor also to presented certificates to our runners up and section representatives – Jessica from 4th Eastcote Brownies, Jeeya from 4th Ickenham Guides and Megan, from 1st Ruislip Windmill Rangers.
At 9.40pm we were treated to Majesty played by Jane Anderson from Northwood District to fanfare the lighting of the Beacon. Jasmine, supported by Jenni lit the beacon with the beautiful tune of Song for the Commonwealth. The whole field lit up with the beacon which was quite an incredible sight. Thank you to all the volunteers who made the event happened and to everyone who came along to enjoy this historic moment.
