JUBILEE BEACONS

Evening Star, Issue 21993, 1 April 1935, Page 3

JUBILEE BEACONS

GREAT CHAIN OF FIRE At 10 p.m. on May 6 showers of red, green, and yellow stars will burst from rockets fired by Boy Ssouts, stationed practically on every' hill and promon. tory in Britain and Northern Ireland. These rockets will mark the lighting of the chain of bonfires vrtiich is to ba the Scout movement’s contribution to the King’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, . It is the ambition of the Scout authorities to create a vast network of beacons so situated that, from the site of each, it will bo possible to see tha flames from the next. In the more hillydistricts it should bo possible to sea many beacons from one point. The county associations—more thaif 100have been given the task of ensuring this ideal. The spots chosen for the bonfires will be marked, on specially prepared maps and sent, together with details of local arrangements, to head, quarters in London. It is hoped that by April there will bo a complete and co-ordinated plan of this blazing chain,” covering every part of Britain. The old telegraph hilU and the more ancient beacon hills will be among the selected sites. The ben. fires will be made in the traditional conical shape, of intertwined branches, old wood and rags, surmounted by a tar, barrel. Each will be about 2011 high.

Precautions are being taken against the danger of fire to surrounding property. London and the Home Counties present special dangers. Hamp. stead Heath, the Crystal Palace, Harrow Hill and various points on tha north downs are being considered, but it is not yet known whether the local authorities concerned will be willing to sanction fires close to populous areas.