West Lothian will join a global chain of beacons lit to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee today (Thursday).
While the council has not organised specific street parties or other events, schools will be closed on Friday and council staff given an extra day’s holiday to mark the anniversary and enable them to take part in community celebrations.
Many schools are also planning to use The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event and celebrations as part of their curriculum programmes this academic session.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We plan to take part in a number of national and local events and initiatives to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, in partnership with the West Lothian Lieutenancy.
“These include lighting of the Platinum Jubilee Beacons at Beecraigs Country Park on Thursday, June 2, where beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries.
“We are also taking part in The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, to plant healthy native trees that will thrive, enhancing our environment and the landscape for generations to come.
“Nelson Park in Armadale has been designated for this, and we are progressing work on an ancient woodland site at Calderwood Country Park.
“The council has also applied for an ancient tree in West Lothian to be designated as part of the canopy.
“All schools will be closed on Friday, June 3, as part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations, and all council staff have been given an additional day of leave to enable as many people as possible the opportunity to take part in events.
“The Museums Service are planning a Platinum Jubilee exhibition, which will tour around community museums spaces and partnership centres across West Lothian, as well as supporting community-based heritage projects, such as the Bennie Museum and Bathgate Community Council.”
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