Lighting up the Harborough sky to mark the Queen's 90th birthday

Hundreds of Beacons will be lit across the country to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday tomorrow (Thursday).
Harborough Town Football Club will be lighting a beacon on thursday 21st April evening to commemorate the Queen's birthday. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERHarborough Town Football Club will be lighting a beacon on thursday 21st April evening to commemorate the Queen's birthday. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Harborough Town Football Club will be lighting a beacon on thursday 21st April evening to commemorate the Queen's birthday. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

And one of the biggest celebrations will be in Market Harborough, where hundreds are expected to gather for the free event.

Organiser Phil Robinson said: “It will be a fantastic event, and we hope Harborough will support it and raise money for charity.”

The venue is Harborough Town FC at Bowdens Park, off Northampton Road.

The event will feature stalls and fairground rides, a Leicestershire Fire and Rescue engine, a school birthday card competition to be judged on the night, and a raffle and collection for the M.A.D. For Madi Wishes On Wheels charity.

There will be a fireworks show and live music from 8.15pm. Food and drink will be available in the clubhouse.

The gates will open at 6pm, with the beacon lighting by the chairman of Harborough District Council, Cllr Mike Rook, at 8pm.

Organisers include Harborough Town FC, Harborough Community Trust, Market Harborough Girl Guides and the local Air Training Corps.

Mr Robinson said: “We have lots of volunteers who are giving their time on the night, and any additional sponsorship we can raise would help to cover our expenses.”

The Prince of Wales has written a personal message to all beacon lighters around the country.

It reads: “I am delighted that so many people throughout the United Kingdom are coming together to light beacons in celebration of my mother, the Queen’s, 90th birthday.

“This message we proclaim with the greatest pride and affection: Your Majesty, we all wish you a very happy birthday!”