22nd February 12 
Bonfires to honour Queen
CELEBRATIONS marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will see Annan join a national chain of bonfire beacons.
Watchhall resident Joyce Wylie is organising the free community event this June which will help mark 60 years since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne.
Joyce said: “I’ve just registered with Bruno Peek, the pageant master for the Queen. John Thomson asked me if I would do a beacon at Watchhall; I did the Golden anniversary one ten years ago.
“This will be June 4, with beacons lit all over Britain.”
An evening of entertainment is being lined up for the event in a field owned by Mr Thomson, with Steven Ramage asked to provide a disco, and The Royal Burgh of Annan Pipe Band invited to perform along with folk singers from The Blue Bell Inn.
The pub is set to run a beer tent, while Jimmy Steel will take charge of a barbecue, and decorations are set to line Watchhall Road.
Joyce said: “I’ll be given a time in May for when we light the beacon, because I think the Queen starts it at Windsor and then it comes up the country.
“We’ll look over the water, to Port Carlisle, and then it comes across to Annan.”
Joyce is hopeful that a grant could be secured for a firework display, but notes that the event could run late for children as the beacon is not expected to be lit until after 10 pm. Inviting other community groups from within Annan and the surrounding area to get involved in the celebrations, Joyce said: “This is a special event for the town, and it’ll be a community event.”
She added: “We really want everybody to be a part of it, if we can.”
Plans are also being considered for a bonfire at Repentence Tower on Hoddom and Kinmount Estates, near Lockerbie.
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