Celebrations and events to mark the 90th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth are already being planned. The first event in the Ross-on-Wye area is likely to be the lighting of the beacon at the Prospect on Thursday, April 21st 2016, which is the date of the Queen’s actual birthday.

The Beacon will be one of approximately 300 Beacons being lit up and down the country as part of a national initiative. The Beacon will be lit at 7.30pm, following a short ceremony to which everyone is invited. The Town Council is considering the applications from those wishing to light the Beacon.

However, the Queen celebrates two birthdays and her official 90th birthday will be marked with a service of thanksgiving being held at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 10th, which is also the date of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday. Then on Sunday, June 11th lots of people will take part in special events such as street parties.

The Ross Gazette would love to hear from you if you are planning to mark this milestone whether as an individual, a family or with a larger street party or an event in a village hall. Email your details to [email protected]