STUDLEY has set aside a budget of £2,000 to buy banners, bunting and a gas fired beacon to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday on Thursday, April 21.
Members of the parish council heard that the plan on the big day was for the Queen to light the first beacon and at a given signal similar beacons across the country would be ignited to burn for half an hour in celebration.
Councillors heard that the wheeled, re-useable tripod mounted beacon, in the shape of a rose, is made by the company that produced the 2012 Olympic torch, and costs £299, however it had to be ordered quickly to meet the deadline set by the Queen’s ‘Pageant Master’.
Members also agreed to spend almost £450 on ten 3ft x 8ft ‘Venetian’ banners featuring a Union flag and two red and blue stripes plus £750 for ten cross pieces to hang them from.
Bunting came in at £10.45 for 10 metres, although local groups will be contacted to see if they could help.
“I’m very much in favour of this. Ninety years is incredible and we can recognise our gratitude for a lifetime of service,” said parish chairman Coun Paul Beaman.
He added that the goods would also offer the village a summer of decoration and help support the Studley in Bloom team.
Coun Sue Redman proposed the sum of £2,000 be set aside on the understanding that if local businesses wanted to join the celebration they could contribute to the cost, which was agreed.
The beacon lighting is likely to take place on the Recreation Ground and councillors are now looking for other events to make it a night of celebration.
