A HEARTY blazing beacon brought much needed warmth as hundreds braved a chilly night in Walton to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday last night.
Crowds packed both the inside and the outside of the club in Mill Lane, which was open to non-members for the special occasion.
Compere and club member Chris Opperman told the throng that the beacon was one of a thousand being lit across the country last night in honour of Her Majesty.
The lighting, just before 8pm as dusk approached, was done by members of the Walton & Frinton lifeboat crew, who built the fire.
Chris, a former BBC Radio World Service and Radio Suffolk Presenter, also read out a letter the club had received from Prince Charles before the crowds sung a Happy Birthday. They also sung the National Anthem.
The Club’s Racing Officer and Rear Commodore Chris Brooke said the club received official communication from the Royal Yachting Association and Buckingham Palace that the Queen’s Pageant Master was looking for locations to stage beacons.
“So we decided to get a lot of people in to have a BBQ and enjoy themselves,” he said.
Many local organisations use the club for meetings.
Takings from the night would help promote racing at the club, Chris added.
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