The Lewis Merthyr Band is preparing to play its part in the London based Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II.

On Thursday June 2nd, following Trooping the Colour and Red Arrows fly-past, London Bridge City will be lighting a special beacon as the culmination of a day of attractions in the heart of the capital city.

Evening ceremony

The beacon is one of thousands being lit across the UK and the Commonwealth, and forms part of the official programme recently announced by Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee Weekend.

The evening ceremony at the Thames Bank (starting at 7.30pm) will feature performances from the UK's premier Rapper Sword Dance group, The Tower Ravens, talented Scottish piper Thomas Crawley and Lewis Merthyr Band.

Concert programme

The band will perform programme of repertoire from 7.30pm until 9.15pm, before the cornet section will herald the lightning of the beacon by playing a special fanfare entitled 'Majesty'. They will then join singers to perform a new 'Song for the Commonwealth' entitled, 'A Life Lived With Grace'.

Musical Director Craig Roberts told 4BR: "We are delighted to be featuring in such an important national event and we are thoroughly looking forward to the performance experience."

The event further enhances the band's long standing association with royal performances — having played before King George V and Queen Mary, as well as Edward Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII.

We are delighted to be featuring in such an important national event and we are thoroughly looking forward to the performance experienceMD, Craig Roberts

Light up the nation

Speaking about the event, Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster of The Queen's Jubilee Platinum Beacons, said: "Building on a long tradition of lighting beacons to mark significant royal celebrations, thousands of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

They will enable local communities to join together to pay tribute to Her Majesty as part of the official programme of events. The Queen has lit up our lives for 70 years through her dedicated service and commitment. We would like to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour."