The Queen Elizabeth II Beacon Of Hope

Fishburn is a small village with a pretty green and in summer blooming flowers. Near the entrance to the cemetery there is a ceremonial gas-fired beacon, not to warn of invasion, but to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee back in 2022.

The lighting of beacons dates back to the 15th century during the reign of Edward IV (1442 to 1483) and were considered to be an effective way to raise the alarm and signal a call to arms. It was certainly faster than a messenger. Beacon lightings played a strategic part in the invasion by the Spanish Armada in 1588.

It was in 1897 that beacons were lit for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. Then in 1977 for Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee and other events such as marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landing in 2024.

From the Fishburn Parish Council website they explain:

'The Queen Elizabeth II Beacon of Hope represents the British way of life that we all hold dearly. The design of the basket on the beacon is a crown. The eleven poppies signify the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (to mark the day armistice signed after World War I.'

The wording around the base of the crown is HOPE - PEACE - BATTLE - FREEDOM. Hope: a strong and confident expectation for peace and freedom within ourselves and around the world. Peace: within ourselves and around the world is something we all strive for and battle to keep. Battle: the constant fight between good and evil within ourselves and around the world. Freedom: the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants, because without Hope, Peace, and Battle there is no Freedom.

The word MEMENTO on the crown is Latin for 'to remember'.

The seven-pointed crown signifies Queen Elizabeth II; the seven days of creation; the seven seas and seven continents of the world; England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that are protected by The Army, The Royal Air Force and The Royal Navy.'

(This is not such an obvious connection eh!)

Whilst admiring the beacon you may be drawn to the pleasing metal works of the cemetery gates. The work of Graeme Hopper.