Students from the Isle of Wight's specialist engineering school have created five bespoke Platinum Jubilee Beacons, ahead of this weekend's celebrations.

The team from Cecamm in Whippingham have designed and built steel baskets from scratch - each with an individual design to reflect the location they will be placed in.

On Thursday, at 9.45pm, fires will be lit in them, alongside scores of others around both the Island and the UK.

It is part of a long weekend of Queen's Platinum Jubilee picnics, street parts and music, between June 2 and June 5.

Watch as Cecamm students from the Isle of Wight make special Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons for the West Wight.

The Cecamm students' braziers will be at The Needles, Compton Bay, Freshwater Bay and on Tennyson Down.

The Needles's brazier has a rocket based design, to reflect its importance as a testing site.

They have been made with donated materials from DMR Engineering, and wood provided by contractors, specialists and residents.

Student Nathan Holder told the County Press: "It started as a bit of paper and drawing out random designs, to see which one worked best. I want them to think, 'wow'!"

Ryan Barton and Chloe Taylor enjoyed the whole process, while Alf Gibbons said: "There have been a lot of steps. The bending of the metal to form the leaves was long and complex but I think it's turned out well."

Isle of Wight County Press: Some of the Cecamm students and their braziers for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Some of the Cecamm students and their braziers for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Isle of Wight County Press: Working on the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon braziers at Cecamm, Isle of Wight.

Lennon Molyneaux co-designed a brazier for Compton Bay, complete with surfboards and dinosaurs, while Chris Arago-Stillwell said: "I made the Tennyson one with the horse on a shield. It was fun to work with my colleagues."

"It's a good thing to do for the community. I am very pleased," said Bradley Pamplin.

Cecamm tutor James Miller said: "It's very special - when are we going to have another Platinum Jubilee? They've done really well.

"When this first started, it was just cardboard models and small sketches. I am amazingly proud. It's what you want as a teacher"

Cllr Chris Jarman, who represents Totland and Colwell, said: "I'm blown away. They've learned a lot of skills - from the design through to the welding." Debbie Andre, Isle of Wight Council's cabinet lead for education, said: "I am incredibly impressed and proud of our students. This is quite simply amazing."

Isle of Wight County Press: Working on the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon braziers at Cecamm, Isle of Wight.

Beacons will shine across the Isle of Wight on Thursday night.

St Helens will be lighting its village beacon - even though its original one (last used in 2002) was scrapped.

It had deteriorated so much it was removed, but village leaders have found a creative solution.

A beacon has instead been made from recycled materials and it will be lit using an electric 'flame, ' which has helped solved the problem - and concerns from local residents with thatched houses.

The lighting of the St Helens Beacon will follow an open air movie night on the village green, where Mama Mia will be screened and villagers are encouraged to attend in fancy dress.

Isle of Wight County Press: Creating the St Helen's Beacon.Creating the St Helen's Beacon.

Other events are planned across the weekend.


Where are Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons being lit on the Isle of Wight: A full list

Beacons will be lit at 9.45pm, expect for Bembridge's Culver Down, which has special permission to go earlier.

Bonchurch

Brading Down

Culver Down: A town crier, piper, bugler, choir blessing and the lighting by Caroline Peel DL, with the Scouts.

Carisbrooke Castle

Compton Bay

Cowes Parade: Entertainment from 7pm, including Mike Christie from G4, the Medina Community Choir, a piper and a bugler.

East Cowes Esplanade

Freshwater Bay (near the golf course car park)

Ryde Marina

St Helens Green: An electric flame in a specially made brazier

St Catherine’s Down (St Catherine’s Oratory – Niton and Whitwell Parish Council - only accessible by foot from the Blackgang viewpoint car park)

Tennyson Down

The Needles new battery

Wellow (Millennium Green)

Yarmouth (River Road car park)


Have you registered your Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon with the fire service?

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has asked the Beacons be registered, to avoid unnecessary call outs.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has asked organisers of Beacon lighting events (at 9.45pm on Thursday, June 2), to register theirs, to ensure fire fighters aren't called out unnecessarily.

Dan Tasker, Assistant Director of Operations at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We know that many people across our communities will be celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It promises to be a great and memorable occasion and we want everyone to have fun.

"Registering your beacon with us in advance is easy and will allow our Control operators to understand where fires are being lit in our area, helping to make sure genuine beacons are not mistaken for uncontrolled bonfires."

  • Call 023 8064 4000 to register your beacon