Haughton Green will proudly join 2,022 communities, charities and faith groups all over the UK lighting a beacon to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The ceremony on Tommy Todd village green, Haughton Green Road, Denton, will take place tonight (Thursday) beginning at 9.40pm with ‘Majesty’ - a specially written bugle call played by Andy Mellor of Christ Church, Ashton - Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade Band.

At precisely 9.45pm, the brazier beacon will be lit by Manchester United player Rhys Bennett, the former Russell Scott Primary and Audenshaw School pupil who recently captained the FA Youth Cup winning u18s side in front of a 67,000 crowd at Old Trafford.

The local event will be in ‘sync’ with the lighting of the principal Jubilee beacon at Buckingham Palace and those of all 54 Commonwealth capitals.

It is the first time the Haughton Green beacon will have been lit since it was officially unveiled at the Armistice centenary commemoration in November 2018. 

Members of the local community worked tirelessly to fundraise and create a modern day equivalent of the iconic gas lamp known as ‘Tommy Dodd’ which was moved from Denton to Haughton when the two townships merged in 1884. The village green took on the name, which over time became ‘Tommy Todd’.

Martyn Walsh, of the Haughton Green Community Forum and Eventful Community Team, said: “It is only appropriate this unique milestone in history is marked with beacons and music. On behalf of the community of Haughton Green and Denton, we are proud to be part of this momentous celebration.” 

The Principal Beacon lighting will take place in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace tonight (Thursday). This will take the form of a lighting installation with The Queen’s Green Canopy ‘Tree of Trees’ sculpture and projections onto the front of Buckingham Palace. 

The beacon lighting will also reflect the Royal Family’s long history championing environmental causes.

Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster of The Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Beacons, said: “Building on a long tradition of lighting beacons to mark significant royal celebrations, thousands of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. They will enable local communities to join together to pay tribute to Her Majesty as part of the official programme of events.

“For the first time, town criers, pipers, buglers and choirs from the UK and the Commonwealth will come together to join in the celebrations in their own individual and special way. 

“It is wonderful to see the range of support for beacon lighting, which will highlight both the diversity and unity of the nation and the Commonwealth. 

“The Queen has lit up our lives for 70 years through her dedicated service and commitment. We would like to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour.”

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