Sussex gets set to say Happy 90th Birthday, Ma'am
A total of 1,000 beacons will be lit throughout the country - including in Sussex - next week to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.
Updated Tuesday, 12th April 2016, 12:37 pm
The Queen at West Newton Church ANL-160802-082435009
The huge show of royal support will begin with the Queen herself, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall who will light the principal beacon on Thursday April 21 at Windsor Castle.
As part of the national celebrations Burgess Hill Town Council will light a beacon in St John's Park later that day - from 7 – 8pm.
Burgess Hill school choirs and Burgess Hill Marching Youth will be performing at theceremony and residents are invited to go along. Town mayor Anne Jones will light the beacon.
She said: "I am delighted Burgess Hill Town Council will be lighting the Beacon in St John's Park to celebrate Her Majesty's 90th Birthday. It is wonderful that the children of Burgess Hill are coming together to celebrate this joyful occasion. We invite the community to join us in celebrating this historic event."
The town council is also inviting Burgess Hill residents to write their birthday wishes to the Queen in a special leather-bound book at the town council's Help Pointin Church Walk. The book will be available until Friday June 3 to coincide with The Queen's official birthday. It will then be forwarded to The Queen for her to read everyone's birthday messages.
Meanwhile, a beacon will also be lit at Ditchling Beacon on April 21 at 7.30 pm. Organisers say members of the public are welcome to attend, but remind people that parking is limited.
A royal afternoon tea is being organised in Hassocks to celebrate the Queen's birthday. It will be hosted by local concert party 'Friends and Neighbours' and will take place on Sunday April 24 from 2.30pm-4.30pm. There will also be a 'royal' grand raffle.
The cost is £3.50 and advance tickets are now on sale at Pavilion ELectrics in Keymer Road, Hassocks or by ringing 01273 845291.
Later this year, in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council, Haywards Heath Town Council will be celebrating the Queen's 90th birthday by organising a family picnic and free sports taster day at Beech Hurst Gardens on Sunday June 12 from 12 noon to 4pm.