Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will participate a long month of celebrations to mark her Diamond Jubilee on the British throne. Acknowledged to be a great achievement, she seem set to surpass her predecessor. According to Governor Davis, Queen Elizabeth 11 is only the second monarch to reach the Diamond Jubilee. Queen Victoria who served from 1837 to 1901, a total of 64 years, was the first to reach it.
The Hello Magazine reported, “A deafening roar of approval reverberated around the streets outside Westminster Palace as the Queen‘s carriage began its stately progress to Buckingham Palace.
Gathered as far as the eye could see were well-wishers, buoyed up by four days of national joy, which have only increased respect for this diminutive woman who has more than made good on a promise made over sixty years ago.
Montserrat, along with two hundred other nations in the world symbolized the lighting of the World Jubilee Beacon on Monday, June 4, 2012 outside and west of the Montserrat Cultural Centre at 7:15 p.m. followed by a display of fireworks. A large number of persons including adults and children came out to witness the lighting of the beacon, which was a traditional bonfire-style beacon.
Diamond Jubilee Beacon
Many persons express some disappointed not seeing what they had hoped to see something lit that would be left standing. Several persons and somehow waited in anticipation as the watched the bonfire that burnt for about an hour. In Montserrat lingo, “dis a wa awe come down yah fah, dis is total waste of time,” While a child asked quietly, “What is the significant of this fire?”
Government House officials explained that the lighting apparatus just did not work. It would have symbolized the beacon that lit the bonfire.
This was followed by a very brief firework display. Too brief to have been appreciated by the large number of people who had expressed hope to see a display of 15 – 20 minutes.
Symbolizing unity over 4200 beacons were lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Commonwealth and Overseas UK Territories creating a symbolic ring of light around the globe in celebration of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The first beacon was lit in Tonga with the last beacon lit by Her Majesty the Queen after a spectacular BBC concert at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen’s Birthday Parade will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Little Bay followed the Diamond Jubilee party which will take place on Thursday, June 21, 2012.
Jubilee medals
95 medals were awarded, (a small few in absentia) on Thursday night by Governor Davis in a well organised ceremony for outstanding service, to officers in the Royal Montserrat Police service, the Fire and Prison Services, and the Royal Defense force.
Pianist Jocelyn Freeman
This was part of celebrations to commemorate the 60th reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The jubilee medals were handed out at government house as each recipient entered. Each recipient was announced and then proceeded to receive his/her medal. This followed by a short reception in their honour, with the Emerald Community Singers providing brief entertainment.
Piano Recital Concert by Jocelyn Freeman
Governor Davis reminded of the rest of celebrations beginning with a Recital hosted by the Governor and his wife SuJue at the Governor’s residence in Woodlands. The proceeds were in honour of the Montserrat Foundation.
Filipe Sousa and Jonathan Ang
Pianist Jocelyn Freeman was the featured guest performing throughout the first part of the program. That was followed performances by Filipe Sousa and Jonathan Ang, firstly Filipe and the together with Jonathan, the latter directing the MSS (Montserrat Secondary School) choir and steel pan ensemble. The evening was made grander by two special opera performances by well-known Shirley Spycalla and surprise, Sujue Davis.
The concert was the mastermind of Jonathan.
Queen’s Birthday Parade and Reception
On June 16, the Queen’s birthday parade (an annual event) will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Salem park with the Antigua police band in attendance. They will stay and give a concert to the audience.
Monday June 18 will be a public holiday in honour of the Queen’s birthday, and on the 21st there have will be a diamond Jubilee reception at the Governor’s residence at 6:30.
