ROYALISTS braved high winds in Harwich to light a beacon to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday.

The Harwich Society lit the beacon at Cliff Park, Dovercourt, last Thursday evening. It was part of a nationwide chain of more than 1,000 beacons that were lit to mark the Queen’s birthday.

The national event was coordinated by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek, who asked that Harwich’s beacon be lit at 8.30pm.

An official message from Prince Charles was read to all those present. The beacon was then lit by Harwich Society chairman Colin Farnell.

Mr Farnell, said: “There is an amazing sense of history at the moment of lighting Harwich’s beacon, which in centuries gone by was a warning signal. In this case, it was to commemorate a wonderful event and to ensure that Harwich was part of the national celebration.”