Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR Pageantmaster

MORE THAN 37 YEARS OF ORGANISING NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL EVENTS For more than 37 years Bruno Peek has Organised Events conceived and organised events on the international, national and local stages In recent years, people in the UK and around the world have joined together to celebrate and involving: commemorate unique national and international historic events. ❖ Town, parish, borough, district, metropolitan, city and county councils. Bruno Peek has been responsible for a large number of the biggest celebrations of this kind for nearly four ❖ UK and foreign governments’departments decades. Some of the most memorable spectacles and occasions, including celebrations for the official and organisations. opening of the Single European Market, the arrival of the New Millennium, Her Majesty The Queen’s ❖ Voluntary, professional and charitable organisations. Golden Jubilee, the Battle of Trafalgar bicentenary, Enjoy - Celebrate St George’s Day, Fly a ❖ International, national, regional and local media. Flag for our Armed Forces, the Royal British Legion Poppy Party Weekend and The Queen’s Diamond ❖ Leading Members of The Royal Family. Jubilee Beacons, the annual Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth, 50th and 70th Anniversary VE Day Beacons, ❖ Ministry of Defence. The Queen’s 90th Birthday Beacons, Battle’s Over - A Nation’s Tribute 11th November 2018, including the ❖ Churches and cathedrals. ❖ Town criers throughout the UK and the world. Lamplight of Peace have been conceived, influenced and successfully organised by him, involving hundreds of ❖ Pipers and pipe bands throughout the UK thousands of people of all age groups, nationalities and backgrounds from around the world. and the world.

2015 - 2018 Battle’s Over - A Nation’s Tribute 11th November 2018 and the Lamplight of Peace. During these four years Bruno conceived and co-ordinated the following events, which took place throughout the world on 11th November 2018 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1 and in tribute to the millions who died or returned home wounded.

❖ At 6am local time in the country they were in, over 3,000 pipers played Battle’s O’er, the traditional tune played by pipers at the end of a battle, at locations throughout the world, starting in New Zealand and finishing in Hawaii. Also taking part were 125 bands in over 50 countries, including 48 states in the USA, every county in the UK and every state/ territory in . The tune was played in 17 time zones over 23 hours - from New Zealand 13 hours ahead of GMT to Hawaii 10 hours ahead of GMT. It was the first time an event of this nature had been undertaken. The principal UK location for a lone piper was the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at , .

❖ Over 1,300 Buglers played the Last Post at 6.55pm local time in the country they were in, throughout the , , and other countries around the world that evening, including Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Malta. ❖ More than 1,400 WW1 Beacons of Light were lit at 7pm throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, representing the light of hope that emerged from the darkness of war. Most of these were the focal point of specially organised events. ❖ 193 Town Criers undertook a unique Cry for Peace Around the World at 7.05pm local time in the country they were in, starting in New Zealand, travelling across the world and finishing in Honolulu. ❖ Over 1,400 churches throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and a number of countries around the world, including Malta, Belgium, and the Netherlands took part in Ringing Out for Peace at 7.05pm local time in the country they were in as the finale to this unique, historic commemoration. The Lamplight of Peace was conceived and created by Bruno to pay tribute and to remember the thousands of miners who left their families and loved ones, and the coalfields of the UK to dig tunnels under the German lines on the Western Front. The lamp was lit alongside the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey, London, on the 4th August 2018 while a lone bugler from the Sea Cadet Corps played the Last Post. It was subsequently kept alight for 25 days each by the four official charities of Battle’s Over - A Nation’s Tribute before being returned to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the Abbey for 6am on 11th November 2018. The Royal Naval Association (The National Museum of the , Portsmouth, Hampshire), ABF The Soldiers Charity (Sandhurst Group HQ, The Royal Military Academy Chapel, Sandhurst, Hampshire), Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (St Clement Danes Church, Strand, London) and the Merchant Navy Association (All Hallows by the , Byward Street, London). The Lamplight of Peace was returned to the Abbey by river, by representatives of the Merchant Navy Association at 6am on 11th November 2018, where it was once again placed alongside the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior while a lone piper from the Air Training Corps played Battle’s O’er. It was used at 7.15 that evening by the Dean of Westminster to light a beacon alongside the Garden of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey. The WW1 Tunnellers & The Lamplight of Peace

The Lamplight of Peace is unique, and has been made as a lasting tribute The E. Thomas & Williams Bonnetted Clanny (Meusler) Lamp to The Tunnellers, those unsung heroes of WWI who fought their war The lamp was built before 1907 and is the type that WWI tunnellers of the underground, constantly surrounded by darkness and danger. They were Somme, would have taken with them from the British coalfields. Ironically, its among the millions of service men and women who died or returned glass was made in Prussia. The items with which the lamp has been dressed home dreadfully wounded from the Great War, and who are honoured as reflect the dedication and sacrifice of the tunnellers, and the awful arena in part of Battle’s Over - A Nation’s Tribute 11th November 2018. which they performed their amazing acts of heroism.

The WWI Tunnellers The Cross New light has been shed on a special breed of men who fought on the Western The (VC) is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the Front. Their job was not to charge over the top of the trenches but to sink enemy awarded to British or Commonwealth forces. It was awarded 628 times explosive-packed tunnels deep beneath enemy lines. to 627 recipients in the First World War. However, William Hackett was the only WW1 tunneller to receive the VC. The allied tunnelling companies operated in such secrecy that little was known of their exploits for years after the war. Working in total silence up to 100ft Born on 11th June 1873, he worked as a miner for 23 years in the underground their task was to detonate mines beneath the enemy’s trenches Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire coalfields. Rejected three times for being too while seeking out German tunnellers digging the other way. It was a covert war old, Hackett eventually enlisted on 25th October 1915, despite having been waged by civilians with little or no military training - tough and resourceful men, diagnosed with a heart condition. He spent two weeks of basic training at many of whom had been rejected by the army on the grounds of health and age. Chatham, , before joining the 172nd Tunnelling Company.

The had about 25,000 trained tunnellers, mostly In June 1916, Sapper Hackett and four others were in Givenchy, volunteer coal miners supported by almost twice that France, tunnelling towards enemy lines when the Germans number of infantrymen working alongside them. They detonated a mine and the shaft collapsed, burying worked in constant fear of carbon monoxide the five men. poisoning, tunnel collapse, explosions and the dread of fighting German tunnellers hand-to- Hackett worked for 20 hours to create a hand in the dark. hole and saved three of his comrades. The remaining soldier, Private Thomas Collins, Their greatest victory came at 3.10am was mortally wounded, however, Sapper on 7th June 1917 when 19 mines were Hackett stayed with him, despite having detonated at Messines Ridge in West the opportunity to escape. When Flanders, Belgium. A seismograph another explosion occurred, both in Switzerland registered the men were buried alive and died explosions and David Lloyd together. George is said to have heard them over 150 miles away in The Victoria Cross was Downing Street, London. presented by King Following the blasts, it took to Sapper Hackett’s widow, just three hours for the Alice, at British troops to take the on 29th December 1916. German positions. The WW1 Tunnellers & The Lamplight of Peace

British and German Barbed Wire (pictured below left) The two strands of barbed wire, one British and one German, were found at Thiepval on the Somme Battlefield. They represent the hopelessness of trench warfare in which so many brave men found themselves tangled and dying on the barbs of a muddy battlefield.

Kellingley Coal (pictured left) The pieces of coal are from the Kellingley Colliery, North Yorkshire, the last coal mine in Great Britain. It represents the selfless civilian miners who left their loved ones to join the WWI tunnellers on the Western Front. Many of them never returned.

Trench Post and Soil Sample (pictured centre) British and German Barbed Wire - Donated The shards of trench post built into the base by Taff Gillingham, Tracey Mackenzie and The first of over one thousand four of the lamp around the four panes of glass Kevin Smith, directors of the Great War Huts hundred WW1 Beacons of Light covering the various artefacts were found in Visitor Centre and Heritage project, Hawstead, being lit throughout the United a British trench during road works in 2014 Suffolk. Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of at Wieltje, a hamlet north of Ypres, Belgium. Kellingley Coal - Donated by the National Man and UK Overseas Territories, The soil sample also came from a trench near Union of Mineworkers, known during the Great will be lit on 11th November 2018, Ypres. These symbolise the dreadful conditions War as the Miners Federation of Great Britain. at Westminster Abbey, London, by Acknowledgements: in which those fighting on the Western Front Trench Post and Soil Sample - Donated the Dean of Westminster, from the lived and died during the four-year campaign. by the In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres, flame of the Lamplight of Peace, The concept of The Lamplight of Peace Belgium. in commemoration of the millions was originated by Bruno Peek LVO OBE Ballast (pictured right) Ballast - Donated by the l’Association du that died during dreadful conditions OPR, Originator and Pageantmaster of The pieces of ballast came from between the Mémorial de l’Armistice, Compiègne, France, on the battlefields of the Western Battle’s Over - A Nation’s Tribute 11th railway lines where the WWI Armistice was signed with the valuable assistance of Elizabeth Front, on the high seas and in the November 2018. on 11th November 1918, in the railway carriage Bailey and the Friends of Compiègne, Bury St air, along with paying tribute to the of French military Marshal Ferdinand Edmunds, Suffolk, England. WW1 Tunnellers, the thousands The E. Thomas & Williams Bonnetted Clanny Foch. Its location in the Forest of Compiègne, Lamp Cover - Produced by students at Cliff of civilian coal miners that left the (Meusler) Lamp - Donated by Bruno Peek. coalfields of the UK, to dig tunnels 55 miles north of Paris, was chosen because it Park Ormiston Academy, Great Yarmouth, in under the German Lines during was remote and discreet. The Armistice itself was association with SPP Digital Great Yarmouth. The Victoria Cross - Replica Victoria Cross World War 1. agreed six hours earlier at 5am local time. Its first Base of the Lamplight of Peace - donated by Bruno Peek. term was that fighting would end at 11am. Sponsored by Bruno Peek Pageantmaster Ltd.

The Lamplight of Peace will be lit alongside the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey, London on 4th August 2018. Following this it will be kept alight for 100 days by the four charities on the following pages, before returning to the Abbey for 6am on 11th November. HM The Queen’s 90th 2016Birthday, 21st April On Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday, 21st April 2016, Bruno coordinated the lighting of over 1,250 beacons throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories in celebration of this important milestone in The Queen’s life. (left) The Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards enter the ‘Long Walk’, Windsor Great Park, to attend the lighting of the Principal, Queen’s 90th Birthday Beacon at Gate, Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His , by Her Majesty The Queen early that evening. The Duke of Edinburgh, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her (below) The lighting of the Principal 90th Birthday Beacon by Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, lit the Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess Principal 90th Birthday Beacon at Cambridge of Cornwall. Gate, Windsor Castle, early that evening, with all other beacons being lit directly after.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales invited all those attending, to raise three cheers for The Queen, along with the singing of Happy Birthday, with music being provided by the Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards.

The Principal Beacon alight at Cambridge Gate, Windsor Castle. 2015VE Day, 8th May. On VE Day, 8th May 2015, Bruno coordinated the lighting of over 250 beacons throughout the 70th Anniversary VE Day Beacons United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man A shared moment of celebration and UK Overseas Territories in celebration of 8th May 2015 the 70th Anniversary of VE Day.

P&O and Cunard Line, Brisbane, Australia 2015. London Olympics 2012 Ritz Fly a Flag for the 2012Hotel celebration dinner. 2014Commonwealth, 10th March. Following the hugely popular and successful In 2014 Bruno and his team conceived and London Olympics in 2012, Bruno organised a coordinated Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth, celebration dinner in the fabulous William Kent an international celebration of the Room at the Ritz Hotel, London, for a number . of Chinese gold medal winners.

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, lights the Principal VE Day Beacon at Windsor Castle on 8th June 2015. Fly a Flag for the 2015Commonwealth, 9th March. On Commonwealth Day 2015 more than 750 Commonwealth flags were raised throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and other Commonwealth countries by local authorities, town councils and community groups, and for the first time in maritime history, the flag was raised on all the 11 cruise ships of P&O and Cunard Line.

The Band of the Household Cavalry and the State Trumpeters Her Majesty The Queen’breaks’ the Commonwealth Flag Ritz Hotel, London 2012. attend the lighting of the Principal Beacon at Windsor Castle outside the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, London, on 8th June 2015. on 10th March 2014. The Queen’s Diamond 2012Jubilee Beacons - 4th June. More than 4,200 beacons were lit in the UK and around the world as part of a weekend of celebrations to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Millions of people watched on television as The Queen lit the National Beacon on the Mall, London, at around 10.30pm, after the live BBC concert in front of Buckingham Palace.

Great Poppy Party Weekend 2011- 10th-12th June. Hundreds of events took place around the country to raise money and pay tribute to the work of the Royal British Legion as it marked 90 years of providing welfare for our armed forces. From barbecues and barn dances to masked balls and pool parties, the nation celebrated and gave thanks. Fly A Flag For Our Armed The Millennium Flame. The Millennium Flame. 2009Forces - 22nd June 2009. 2009 2008Norman Kaphan, Chief Barker, Unique Armed Forces Day Flags were raised The Millennium Flame which has been kept The Variety Club of Great Britain receives the together at 10-30am on Monday 22nd June alight by many and various charities and Millennium Flame at the Guildhall, in the City 2009, in every local authority area throughout organisations for the last 10 years was officially of London on 4th November 2008. the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of presented to His Royal Highness Prince Michael Man and various other locations around the of Kent, at the Guildhall, London on the 18th world, ‘Honouring Britain’s Armed Forces, past, May 2009. present and future’. Flying the 2012 Olympic Torpoint Army Cadet Force. 2008flag. Local Authorities, youth and other organisations throughout the United Kingdom and Channel Islands take part in the ‘Flying The Flag’ project on Sunday 24th August 2008, in celebration of the Olympic Games being handed over from China to the United Kingdom, to start the official count-down to the 2012 Games in London. Hereford and Worcester Army Cadets, Castle Green, Hereford.

Bradley Walsh and Bruno Peek OBE MVO with the Millennium flame at the Guildhall, London, 18th May 2009.

Monty Panasar - Patron of Enjoy England and Bruno Peek OBE MVO.

The Loving Cup of England. 2009During 2009, the Loving Cup of England attended various events around England, and was officially accepted by England Bowler, Monty Panasar, and was used at the House of Commons on 23rd April 2009, to lead the National ‘Toast to England and St. George’ that day. Enjoy England Celebrate St. 2008George’s Day. The campaign continues for its second year throughout England, involving Local Authorities, communities and various organisations from all walks of life and culture in England today.

Miss Georgia Horsley - Miss England 2008 receives the Loving Cup of England outside the Palace of Westminster, London.

HRH The , Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Baroness Thatcher and Bruno Peek OBE MVO OPR arrive at the Painted Hall, Greenwich, London, 14th June 2007.

The Loving Cup of England. Enjoy England Celebrate St. 2008Miss Georgia Horsley - Miss 2007 2007George’s Day 23rd April. England 2008, arrives at Westminster Hall, Loving Cup of The first national coordinated celebration of St. London, on 23rd April 2008, with The Loving England. The Loving George’s Day. Cup of England, in celebration of St. George’s Cup of England Day. toured the 50 cities Inaugural National St. of England from 2007George’s Day Banquet - Service of Remembrance the 5th of February 23rd April. 2007 and Commemoration, The through to the 23rd The Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace, Royal British Legion Drinks Reception and of April 2007 as Westminster, London. The Heroes’ Dinner - 14th June 2007. part of the Enjoy One of the official events organised as part of England Celebrate Official opening and the Government and MOD 25th Anniversary St. George’s Day 2006rededication of Nelson’s Commemorations of the conflict. campaign. Monument, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. HRH The Duke of visiting the period encampment at the Royal Norfolk Showground. The Red Arrows flying display at Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival.

The Trafalgar Weekend. 60th Anniversary of the Her Majesty The Queen’s Bruno was appointed a Member of the Royal 2005 A weekend of national 2005 End of World War II. 2002 Golden Jubilee. Victorian Order (MVO) in Her Majesty The celebrations commemorating the 200th A dinner party attended by His Royal Highness June 3rd Golden Jubilee Summer Party. April Queen’s special Golden Jubilee Honours in anniversary of Vice Admiral Nelson’s victory at The Duke of Edinburgh and World War II 29th - June 3rd Golden Jubilee Summer Party August 2002 for these projects. Trafalgar, including the lighting of the National Victoria Cross and George Cross Holders. Torch Relay. June 22nd Golden Jubilee Dinner. Beacon, alongside HMS Victory at Portsmouth Nelson Returns to England by Her Majesty The Queen, and the four Lowestoft Seafront 2000 at Great Yarmouth. Principal Beacons in other parts of the UK by 2005 Air Festival. November 6th and 7th. A costumed pageant other Members of The Royal Family. Director of Communications. This event recreating the 200th anniversary of Nelson’s attracted over two hundred and fifty thousand landing at Great Yarmouth, following his Nelson’s Farewell to Norfolk. people over the two days and the Guests of glorious victory at The Nile in 1800. His Royal 2005 A costumed pageant Honour were Air Marshal Sir Clive Loader and Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was Patron commemorating Vice Admiral Nelson leaving Air Vice Marshal Andy White. of the event, and the Guest of Honour was The his home county Secretary of State for Defence, The Rt. Hon. of Norfolk to fight Geoffrey Hoon MP. the French and 2004 Spanish at Trafalgar Mayfayres Day, May 3rd. in 1805. The event Conceived and organised the event on May 1999 & 2000 was attended by 3rd in 14 towns in the East Midlands as part of Beacon Millennium and HRH The Duke of Market Towns Week. During the event, Bruno The Millennium Flame. York and General Sir organised the ‘world’s first’, 24 hour, non Bruno was awarded an OBE in Her Majesty The Michael Walker, Chief stop, Maypole dance marathon at Spalding, Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2000 for Photos courtesy of Mark Crame. of the Defence Staff. Lincolnshire. these projects. Fire over England and ❖ ❖ ❖ 1988 The Great Armada Pageant. July 19th. The lighting of a chain of more than In addition to his media skills, Bruno has been 400 beacons and the organising of associated consistently successful in persuading famous community events to celebrate the 400th people - including Prime Ministers, Presidents, anniversary of the sighting of the Spanish International Statesmen, politicians, show Armada off the English coast. August 6th and business personalities and Members of Royal 7th. The Great Armada Pageant, recreating the Families - to become involved in his many 400th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth I review projects, and with a network of contacts of the troops at Tilbury, prior to the invasion around the world, has a proven track record of the Spanish Armada. Kate O’Mara played the in successfully sourcing the involvement and part of Queen Elizabeth I. endorsement of opinion formers.

Fire over England in 1988 and Beacon Europe - European Unity Celebrations in 1992 were highly successful events, marked by the lighting of beacons and the organising of thousands of associated community activities and celebrations. These historic events involved governments, local authorities, voluntary organisations, commercial companies and communities across the UK and the 12 countries of the Single European Market. The two events laid the foundations for Beacon Millennium.

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Bruno has been responsible for conceiving and organising seventeen major mass participation events in the last decade and in 1990 was made a Freeman of the and a Member of The Polonia Restituta by The President of Poland.

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During his time as a Pageantmaster and events organiser Bruno has used his extensive experience in dealing with the local, regional, national and international media, Donna Maria with her team of Maypole dancers. Photos courtesy of Mark Crame. encouraging their involvement, along with acting as a catalyst for event promotion The Great British Beacon Europe. and publicity. This included two ‘live’ New 1996 Poppy Chain. 1992 December 31st. Celebrations Year’s Eve broadcasts networked throughout The central part of The Royal British Legion’s of the official opening of the Single European the UK and many appearances on TV and 75th Anniversary. Market. The event had 45 Patrons, including, Radio programmes such as The Wogan Show, The Rt. Hon, John Major MP, Prime Minister BBC Breakfast, GMTV, the Derek Jameson Beacons, Bonfires & of the United Kingdom, Monsieur Jacques Show and Richard and Judy to name but a 1995 Street Parties. Chirac, President of France and Egon few. His events have also attracted a huge Organised as part of the 50th anniversary A. Klepach, President of The European amount of coverage in the local, national and celebrations of VE Day. Parliament. international press. Kate O’Mara as Elizabeth I. 2015VE Day, 8th May. On VE Day, 8th May 2015, Bruno coordinated the lighting of over 250 beacons throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of VE Day.

Her Majesty South Georgia, Antarctica. The Queen, 70th Anniversary VE Day Beacons accompanied A shared moment of celebration 8th May 2015 by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, lit the Principal VE Day Beacon at Windsor Castle at 9pm that evening with all other beacons being lit at 9.32pm.

Enniskillen. Hornmead.

Berkeley Castle.

Belfast City Hall. Sunbury and Walton Sea Cadets. Uckfield.

VE Day beacon. VE Day beacon. Stirling.

Unst.

Woodhorn. Farnham Castle. Huntingdon.

Liverpool Town Hall. .

Ferryhill Town Council.

Great Totham. Aberdeenshire - The Battle’s Over is played on the pipes. South Tyneside.

The VE Day Beacon. East Antrim.

Melton Mowbray. Fly a Flag for the 2015Commonwealth, 9th March. On Commonwealth Day 2015 more than 750 Commonwealth flags were raised throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and other Commonwealth countries by local authorities, town councils and community groups, and for the first time in maritime history, the flag was raised on all the 11 cruise ships of P&O and Cunard Line.

His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General, raised the Commonwealth flag outside the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, London, before the start of the annual Commonwealth Observance.

Fly a Flag for the 2014Commonwealth, 10th March. In 2014 Bruno and his team conceived and coordinated Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth, an international celebration of the Commonwealth family.

Commonwealth Day 2014 saw more than 500 Commonwealth flags raised throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man by local authorities, charities and community groups. It was the largest, single Slieve Donnard, 2014. raising of the Commonwealth Flag in the organisation’s history.

The flag was taken during the morning to the top of the four highest peaks of the United Kingdom by four charities: Help for Heroes (Ben Nevis, Scotland), Walking with the Wounded (Mount Snowdon, Wales), Cancer Research UK (Scafell Pike, England) and Fields of Life (Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland).

That afternoon, Her Majesty The Queen ‘broke’ the Commonwealth Flag outside the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, London, before attending the Commonwealth Observance there. Mount Snowdon, Wales 2014.

Rothera Research Station, Antarctica 2014. Ben Nevis, Scotland 2014.

Scafell Pike, England 2014. London Olympics 2012 Ritz 2012Hotel celebration dinner. On August 3rd 2012, Bruno organised and hosted a traditional English Banquet for a number of Chinese delegates at the Ritz Hotel, London, in celebration of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The drinks reception took place in The Queen Elizabeth Room, with the banquet being held in the William Kent Room.

Birmingham 2014. A number of the delegates attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Bruno also had the pleasure of welcoming a Chinese team of bike riders that day, who arrived in London after cycling from Beijing, China, to London. This amazing journey took them just over five months.

Portsmouth 2014. The Ritz William Kent Room.

Great Yarmouth 2014.

Tan Hill Inn (highest pub in Great Britain) England 2014. The Queen’s Diamond 2012Jubilee Beacons - 4th June. Our country has a long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons - on mountain tops, churches, castle battlements, town and village greens, country parks, estates, farms and along the beaches surrounding our shores.

In 1897 beacons marked ’s Diamond Jubilee, and in 1977 and 2002 they were lit to commemorate the Silver and Golden Jubilees of Queen Elizabeth II. One of the highlights of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations came on Monday 4th June 2012 when more than 4,200 beacons were lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, the Commonwealth and overseas Realms and Territories, and other countries around the world. It was a key element in a weekend of Many of those taking part used their events national and international celebrations. as a way of raising funds for local or national The Jubilee Crystal Diamond ceremony at the Tower of charities and as an opportunity to celebrate The first beacons lit were in Tonga. These London, where it was held for safe-keeping in the White Tower. with family, friends and colleagues. were closely followed by the one in Canberra, Australia, ignited by the country’s Prime The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Minister, and others in places such as , whose supporters were responsible for lighting , , Dominica, , Gambia, over 650 beacons for The Queen’s Golden , Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, Jubilee in 2002, encouraged their supporters Seychelles, , Sri Lanka, Saint once more ten years on. Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, , , , South Beacons were lit by groups as diverse as Africa, Zambia, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Flash Primary School, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Staffordshire, which has only seven pupils Falkland Islands, , Saint Helena, Turks and is the highest school in Great Britain, and and Caicos Islands, Nicaragua, China, Greece, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, who lit the and the Tree Tops resort in , where, on 6th February 1952, Below: Some of the 4215 beacons lit to commemorate Her Majesty learnt that she had become Queen. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Beacon Brazier being fuelled Mount Snowdon, Wales. Scafell Pike, England. Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland. Church Tower beacon. Above the Channel Tunnel, Kent. before lighting, Hilton Village. their brazier on the Golden Mile. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors invited their members to light their beacons on the 47 sites used in 2002. And a huge bonfire was lit by the Malvern Hills Conservators on top of the ancient Worcestershire beacon site.

There were three types of Beacons - Bonfire Beacons, Beacon Braziers and Church Tower Beacons fuelled by bottled gas. Gas beacons Help for Heroes, were lit on church towers, the battlements of Ben Nevis, Scotland. HM , , London; Bishopthorpe Palace, York, and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scotland. There were beacon celebrations at Killyleagh Castle, Northern Ireland, on the Duke of Westminster’s three estates in Sutherland, and Lancashire and on the Caravan Club’s managed sites all over the country.

Hadrian’s Wall Heritage sited 60 beacons along the length of the wall, each one representing a year of The Queen’s reign. Huntingdon Town Council, Cambridgeshire, had their beacon on Castle Hills and Trinity House ignited beacons at 15 lighthouse sites.

Charities lit beacons at the top of the four highest peaks in each of the UK’s four nations: Scafell Pike, England (Cancer Research UK); Ben Nevis, Scotland (Help for Heroes); Mount Snowdon, Wales (Walking with the Wounded) and Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland (Fields of Life). Fields of Life alone raised nearly £75,000 from their event to build a new school in Main photo: Inverary Castle, Scotland. Bonfire Beacon, Shipston on Stour. Uganda, providing a lasting legacy from Left: The Prime Minister and Leader of the Oposition, Canberra, Australia. their involvement.

Killyleagh Bonfire Beacon, Beacon Sculpture, East Hoathly. Beacon Brazier, Hilton Village. Bonfire Beacon, Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland. Mike and Pam Partridge, Oulton Broad, Suffolk. Hertfordshire Scouts. Following the enormous success of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons, Her Majesty The Queen appointed Bruno as of The (LVO).

Finally, the diamond-shaped National Beacon White Tower of HM Tower of London for safe- located on the Mall, London, was lit by Her keeping, and during it’s stay there, was seen by Majesty The Queen at around 10.30pm at the over 100,000 visitors, 80% coming from overseas. conclusion of the BBC Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace. A unique leather-bounded book listing all the Beacon locations for The Queen’s Diamond The Queen lit the National Beacon by placing the Jubilee Beacons was given to The Queen after Jubilee Crystal Diamond into a special lighting the event as a permanent reminder of the pod located on the stage. The diamond had historic celebrations. previously been held for five weeks within the

Top left: Her Majesty The Queen with Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster.

Above: Fireworks from the roof at Buckingham Palace.

Left: Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales, Bruno Peek (Pageantmaster) and the cast of the BBC .

Below: The National Beacon, The Mall, London.

UHSM Hospital, , Green Beacon. Beacon Brazier, Downe Activity Centre. Beacon Sculpture, Penn and Tylers Green. Beacon Brazier, Helsby Hill. Gas fuelled Beacons, . The Great Poppy Party 2011Weekend - 10th, 11th and 12th June. The nation got into party mood in the summer of 2011 for a very serious cause – to support the welfare and campaigning work of the Royal British Legion as it celebrated its 90th anniversary. Communities around the country marked nine decades of achievement by joining in the Great Poppy Party Weekend from June 10th-12th, with a host of events that combined fun, comradeship and togetherness.

There were barbecues, fancy dress events, karaoke nights, masked balls, barn dances, games evenings, dress down days at school and many other wonderful and inventive ways of partying. Our aim was to encourage local authorities, community groups, organisations and companies throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man to make it a memorable occasion for all those taking part.

Hundreds of parties raised valuable funds to further the welfare work of the Legion as it continues to help millions of beneficiaries - soldiers, sailors and airmen/women who have served their country at home and abroad, often at enormous personal cost to themselves and Top: Front cover of The Great Poppy Party Weekend brochure. their families. Left: Dancer Sohan Kailey.

Many events were held Right: Poppyman outside Killyleagh Castle. in homes and gardens - Far right: Bruno Peek and Emily Takman outside 10 Downing breakfast, lunch, afternoon Street, London, where they were invited to a Poppy Party event, tea, dinner, pyjama party, attended by Dame Vera Lynn and the Prime Minister. games night, cocktail evening, murder mystery, bridge and card games, abroad, invited communities from overseas to toga and pool parties - join their celebrations - providing a chance to for family, friends and savour wine and food from those countries too. neighbours. Others took place in the local pub, Whatever the event, wherever people hotel, restaurant and town/ celebrated, we asked them to combine the village hall, and on village occasion with a raffle, auction or donation greens and market squares. to raise funds for the Royal British Legion, and to use it as an opportunity to thank the Some local authorities organisation for its 90 years of work caring for twinned with councils those who have served our country. Fly A Flag For Our Armed 2009Forces. As originator and coordinator of ‘Fly A Flag For Our Armed Forces’ Bruno and his team achieved having a unique Armed Forces Day flag flown in every local authority area throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, at 10-30am on Monday 22nd June 2009, ‘Honouring Britain’s Armed Forces, past, present and future. The Flags were left flying until Monday 29th June, and on taking them down, were presented to a local veteran. The scheme was also expanded to cover areas where our countries servicemen and women serve overseas, including in Above: The Armed Forces Day Flag being flown Afghanistan, Kuwait, the Falkland Islands, alongside the German Flag in Herford, Germany. Brunei, Gibralta, The Indian Ocean Territories, St. Helena, Germany and Norway, which added great to the poignancy of the event. The Prime Minister lent his support to this initiative, both in encouraging Government Departments to participate and by accepting a flag personally outside Number 10 Downing Street, before being flown from there that day.

Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service, The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP, receives The media coverage, both nationally and the Armed Forces Day Flag outside 10 Downing Street, London, 22nd june 2009. locally was tremendous, and raised the profile of Armed Forces Day which took place on the 27th June, to a level that otherwise would not have been possible. Nonetheless, the real Right: Flag being symbolism of the event, was in enabling our raised in Lowestoft, countries serving people and veterans to know Suffolk (most easterly town in the UK). that they have the support of the country behind them, and this could not have been Far right: Civic involvement before better exemplified than by these flag flying flag raising in events being led by the Lord Mayor’s, Mayor’s Greenwich, London. and Leaders of local authorities throughout the Below: Flag raising at land, and attended by people of all ages and the Historic Dockyard from all walks of life. Chatham, Kent.

Below: Armed Forces Day Flag being paraded through The project was coordinated on behalf of the the streets of Romford, Essex. MOD and was brought in on time and under the budget allocated for this unique event. Above, left and below: A selection of photographs taken at other flag raising events around the UK, including the Scilly Isles, above (the most westerly point in England). The Loving Cup of England. On the the 21st April it was used 2009 to undertake the ‘Loyal Toast’ During 2009, the Loving Cup of England was at a special Dinner organised by used on several occasions around the UK. Bruno, celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday, which took place in the Regal Room, the Cliff Hotel, Gorleston Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and on 23rd April - St. George’s Day, it was taken for the second time, to the House of Commons, London, for a special St. George’s Day Reception Tony King MBE leads the ‘Loyal Toast’ - which took place there, and was Regal Room, Cliff Hotel, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. attended by many Members of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament from both sides of the House.

On its arrival, it was officially received at the entrance of Westminster Hall by the current Miss England, and was paraded into the reception where it was used to toast, ‘England and St. George’.

On the 26th April, the Cup attended a St. George’s Day Service, at Blundeston Church, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent officially receives the Millennium Flame from Bruno Peek OBE MVO, Blundeston, Suffolk, and was used by all who at the Guildhall, London, 18th May 2009. were there, to take ‘Holy Communion’, the first Millennium Flame - 27th appeals. St. Nicholas Church, Great Yarmouth, time the Cup had been used in this way. 2009 May. the Parish Church of Wellingborough All Saints, Since May 1999, the Millennium Flame has been Friends of the Elderly, Cancer Research UK, the During the year, the Cup was also presented kept alight in its elegant, red glass torch, gilded Salisbury Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Councillor George Hawes, Chairman, Waveney District to Monty Panasar, Patron of Enjoy England - Council and Bruno Peek OBE MVO, Blundeston Church, in 18 carat gold, and to date, has been used Blundeston, Suffolk. Celebrate St. George’s Day. and looked after by the following charities and During its tour of the various cities and events organisations who have been responsible for taking place throughout United Kingdom Miss England 2009 receiving keeping the Flame alight, in some cases, using during the year 2000, the Flame was carried The Loving Cup of England from it to raise charitable funds for their own special from the Tower of London. Bruno Peek OBE MVO, in front of the House of Commons, London. The Millennium Flame being escorted into the Guildhall, Roger Daltrey CBE and Bruno Peek OBE MVO at the London, by The Honourable Artillery Company, 18th May 2009. Guildhall, London, 18th May 2009. the City of London, accompanied by a choir as it was processed into the Banquet that evening and was officially handed over for safe keeping to Norman Kaphan, Chief Barker 2008, The Variety Club of Great Britain, who have taken over the responsibility of keeping the Flame alight for one year and a day, as a ‘beacon of hope’ for all children around the world.

Flying the Flag - 24th 2008August. The 24th August 2008 was an historic moment for the United Kingdom. A first in the history of the Olympic Games, hundreds of two uniquely designed, iconic London Olympic Handover Flags were raised in communities throughout Unst, Shetland Islands. the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, from

Pittwood House, Scunthorpe, north Lincolnshire. Unst in the Shetland Isles, the most northerly point in the UK, to Land’s End in Cornwall, the most southerly point. Flags were also raised in Lowestoft, the most easterly point in England and the Isles of Scilly, the most westerly point, along with other unique locations such as the Left to right: , Mayor of London; Bruno Peek OBE, MVO; Norman Kaphan; Chief Barker of Royal Variety Club at The Guildhall, City of London.

Millennium Flame & Variety Memorial, where it was officially received 2008Club of Great Britain - 4th by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, The Needles, Isle of Wight. November. before making its way into the Festival of Since May 1999, the Millennium Flame has been Remembrance that evening. kept alight in its elegant, red glass torch, gilded in 18 carat gold, and to date, has been used On 4th November 2008, the Millennium Flame and looked after by the following charities and was ceremonially carried into the Guildhall, in organisations who have been responsible for keeping the Flame alight, in some cases, using Sir Chris Bonnington on Scafell Pike, Cumbria. it to raise charitable funds for their own special appeals. St. Nicholas Church, Great Yarmouth, the Parish Church of Wellingborough All Saints, Friends of the Elderly, Cancer Research UK, the Salisbury Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

During its tour of the various cities and events taking place throughout United Kingdom during the year 2000, the Flame was carried from the Tower of London, where it had been kept alight that evening, and used to light the first British Legion ‘Torch of Remembrance’, which was carried through the streets of London as part of the Lord Mayor’s Show that year. The Torch was then transported from the Show and taken to the Queen Victoria of the Games from China to the UK, and with his team, coordinated this project on behalf of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, and after the event, was congratulated by Lord Coe, Chairman of LOCOG, for delivering this successful event on time and under budget.

Flying The Flag gave Local Authorities and communities a unique opportunity to come together in one common celebration, which in turn resulted in enthusiastic responses, press cuttings and photographs of so many hundreds of local activities on the day across the UK.

John O’ Groats, Scotland. (right)

Killyleagh Castle, Killyleagh, Tan Hill Inn, Richmond, North Yorkshire, the Kingdom became the next host nation of the Northern Ireland. Land’s End, Cornwall. (below) highest pub in Great Britain, from the Summit Olympic Games in 2012. Enjoy England Celebrate St. of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England 2008George’s Day. and from a Windmill in Norfolk, to name but Bruno initiated this unique idea of involving Bruno coordinated the Enjoy England Celebrate a few, marking the moment when the United the whole country in the historic handover St. George’s Day campaign for the second year running, and many various events, large and small, took place throughout England that day, including the celebration organised by Islamic Relief, re-confirming that the Enjoy England Celebrate St. George’s Day Celebrations are open to all those living in England.

Girlguiding Cymru Training Centre, Broneirion, Llandinam, Wales (below). Sikh Dhol drummers.

During that evening, the Loving Cup of England was paraded into the event, escorted by traditional Sikh Dhol Drummers, and Bruno was presented with a unique Frock Coat, designed, and made from silk and gold thread, by local craftswomen from the Sikh community.

From the 14th to 16th April 2008, the Loving Cup of England visited a number of Associations on the Island of Malta, and during it’s stay, Miss England, Horsley enters Westminster was officially presented to The President of Hall, London. Malta, HE Dr. Edward Fenech-Adami, at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, highlighting On St. George’s Day, 23rd April 2008, the Malta’s association with St. George and the Loving Cup of England, accompanied by Miss President Dr. Eddie Fenech-Adami at The Palace, George Cross. (This was the Cup’s first overseas England - Miss Georgia Horsley, travelled in Valletta, Malta (above and top). visit). a vintage London Taxi to the Jubilee Room,

Miss England with The Loving Cup of England and The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire with a special “Round” of Evesham asparagus. The Loving Cup of England. Bruno being presented with the silk and gold Frock Coat. 2008During the build-up to St. George’s Day on 23rd April 2008, the Loving Cup of England visited various locations throughout England and abroad, including a special event on 14th March 2008, held at the George Salta Collegiate Academy, West Bromwich, Birmingham, organised by the Greets Green Partnership, and attended by families and members of the Sikh, Hindu, Bangladshi, Pakastani, Yemeny and African Caribbean communities - re-confirming that the Loving Cup of England brings, the peoples, families and communities of England together in common celebration of all that is good in living in England today. Service of Remembrance 2007and Commemoration, The Royal British Legion Drinks Reception and The Heroes’ Dinner - 14th June 2007. The 25th Anniversay of the Falkland Islands conflict was commemorated 14th - 17th June 2007 and the Ministry of Defence, in association with other Government departments, various organisations and companies, arranged a number of events in London and elsewhere.

On Thursday 14th June, ‘Liberation Day’ in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal accompanied by Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and The Rt. Hon. Baroness Thatcher, Bruno organised a service of Remembrance and Commemoration in the Chapel of St. Peter and Miss England with Virgin train staff at Waterloo Station, London. The Princess Royal and The Rt. Rev. Christopher Westminster Hall, London, where it attended Members of the House of Lords and other Chessun, Bishop of Woolwich. a special St. George’s Day Reception, and was various dignitaries. presented to Andrew Rosindell MP, Chairman, Service of Remembrance & Commemoration, Chapel of of the St. George’s Day All-Party Parliamentary Following the Reception, the Loving Cup of St. Peter & St. Paul, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Group in the House of Commons, to be used England travelled from London to Liverpool to raise the ‘Toast to England and St. George’. courtesy of Virgin Trains, to attend the St. Paul, followed by During the occasion, Andrew Rosindell was also VisitBritain, Enjoy England Awards - Celebrating a drinks reception presented with a special ‘Round’ of Evesham St. George’s Day, which took place at St. in King William Asparagus, by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant George’s Hall, Liverpool. At 9-30pm, Miss Colonnades hosted of Worcestershire, Mr Michael Brinton. England led the national ‘Toast to England and by the Royal British (St George’s Day is the official start of the St. George’, which was repeated in hundreds Legion, and the Asparagus season in England). of pubs throughout England that evening. Heroes’ Dinner in the This Toast was coordinated/sponsored by and Painted Hall, the Old The event was attended by Members of to the pubs through the British Beer & Pub Royal Naval College, Parliament from both sides of the House, Association and the Morning Advertiser. Greenwich, as the Nation saluted the Lord Tebit and Andrew Rosindell MP receive the Loving Cup of Heroes of ‘82. The Heroes’ Dinner, Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval England in the Jubilee Room, Westminster Hall, London. Beacon at HM Tower of London - 4th June 2012. College, Greenwich. The principal guests at these three events were Falkland Islands’ war veterans who were decorated for bravery following the conflict. The event was supported by the Ministry of Defence and was part of the official Falkland 25 commemoration programme.

The event was the first occasion at which so many of the Heroes had assembled together. The evening combined a mixture of colour, pageantry, music provided by the Royal Artillery Band, time for reflection - and a unique opportunity to salute those who fought so bravely to liberate the Falkland Islands twenty five years ago. life, nationality and religion, thus bringing together people who live in England in one common celebration of peace and friendship - the aim and objective of the Enjoy England - Celebrate St. George’s Day Celebrations for 2007. The youngest person to drink from Loving Cup of England in The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Coventry, it was five years old Liverpool. Councillor Shabbir Ahmed. with the oldest being ninety one. Bruno thought this would be an ideal vehicle to unite the people and communities of England The Cup made from solid silver guilt at a cost of together in a unique and colourful way. £30,000 travelled over 6,000 miles and was drunk from by over 1,000 people during its journey The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Alexander Nicoll and The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG. During it’s Grand around England, finishing up at the Inaugural Tour of the 50 Cities National St. George’s Day Banquet which took Enjoy England Celebrate St. on 23rd April 2007 and was attended by of England, the Cup place at The Banqueting House, Whitehall 2007George’s Day 23rd April. The Lord Mayor of Westminster, the High was officially received Palace, Westminster, London, where it was There are more than 50 million people in this Commissioner of Malta, Ambassador of on behalf of the received by The Rt. Worshipful The Lord Mayor country. They are of multiple nationalities, Slovenia, The Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell MP, citizens of each , Councillor Alexander Nicoll, come from various backgrounds, and practice Secretary of State for Culture, Media and by the Lord Mayor, before being used on Top Table that evening. different beliefs and family traditions; Sport, and many other guests representing Mayor and others. however, they share one important factor different nationalities, cultures and beliefs. The Cup (filled with The Cup was escorted into the Banquet by in common - England is their home, so The Guests of honour for the evening were English Apple Juice the Sovereign’s Mace of the Royal Hospital Bruno came up with the idea of organising The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG, accompanied to enable young and Chelsea, escorted by two Halberdiers from the a national celebration of St. George’s Day, by Dame Norma Major DBE. old to take part) was The Right Worshipful the hospital carrying Halberds, proving a colourful Mayor of Brighton and something that had not been attempted in drunk from by people Hove, Councillor David and fitting end to its unique journey around the past, but was well overdue. Those attending included Chelsea Pensioners, from all walks of Smith and Chuehyann Shih. England. stars from stage and screen and visitors from With the assistance of many others, overseas who enjoyed a sumptuous banquet of Miss England 2007 and Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. including VisitBritain, a number of charities English food and wine, with background music and commercial companies and voluntary played by the Band of The Grenadier Guards. organisations, Bruno set out to organise a national celebration of St. George’s Day. The The Grand Tour of the event is ongoing and is called Enjoy England 2007Loving Cup of England Celebrate St. George’s Day, encouraging 5th February through to 23rd April. all those who call England home, to come Dating back to the Middle Ages, the Loving together on 23rd April 2007 and take part in the Cup, filled with spiced wine known as ‘Sack’ celebrations with family and friends at home, in and passed clockwise around the table at a pub, restaurant, hotel or in the village hall etc, banquets, weddings and other feasts for all to using their events to raise money for charity. drink from, is a delightful and colourful feature of English tradition, a simple but memorable The national Banquet for St. George’s Day ceremony that symbolises trust and friendship took place in the historic Banqueting House, between all those involved, whether they be Whitehall Palace, Westminster, London, friends or complete strangers. The Home Secretary, The Rt. Hon. Charles Clarke MP. The dinner was the largest of its kind throughout the UK that evening. The music was provided by The Band of The Grenadier Guards, and raised more than £7,500 for Seafarers UK and The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

Her Majesty The Queen, Admiral Sir Alan West, First Sea Lord and Bruno Peek after the lighting of the National Trafalgar Weekend Beacon. His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by VC and GC holders. Photo courtesy of MOD. The Trafalgar Weekend. Following this, HRH 2005 His specific achievements The Prince of Wales 60th Anniversary of the and projects over the past 25 years include lit the Principal 2005 End of World War II. The Trafalgar Weekend, which took place on Beacon at Ballater, Bruno was invited by the Ministry of Defence the weekend of October 21st - 23rd 2005, to Scotland; HRH to become a member of the Steering Group commemorate Vice Admiral Nelson’s victory The Earl of Wessex for the 60th Anniversary of World War II over the French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar lit the Principal commemorations for that year with the proud in 1805. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Beacon at Killyleagh responsibility for looking after the World War The Opening provided the Foreword for the Castle, Northern II Victoria Cross and George Cross holders that 2006 of Nelson’s promotional brochure used to Ireland; HRH The attended the commemorations and on July 9th, Monument. encourage the involvement of Princess Royal lit organised a special dinner party attended by the Bruno was commissioned by the participants. the Principal Beacon VC and GC holders. The Guest of Honour for Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust at HMS Cambria, the evening was His Royal Highness The Duke to organise the official opening Conceived and organised by Sully, Wales; HRH of Edinburgh. and rededication of Nelson’s Bruno with a small team of The Duke of York Monument in Great Yarmouth, people, the commemorations lighting the final On Sunday July 10th, in partnership with the Norfolk, on 15th August 2006. involved over 36 organisations Principal Beacon VC GC Holders Association, Bruno organised The National Beacon alongside and companies and resulted in HMS Victory in Portsmouth. outside the Painted the schedule and accompanied the VC and GC Nelson’s Monument, the first to be erected more than 6000 community events including Photo courtesy of bible society. Hall, The Old Royal holders to the Service of Commemoration at in England in Nelson’s honour following Trafalgar Night Dinners and Parties, using Naval College, Westminster Abbey, the Commemoration Lunch East Norfolk Militia his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st local British produce as the centrepiece of Greenwich, London. This was the first time that at Buckingham Palace and an afternoon event take up position. October 1805, had undergone a detailed and their meal, along with Services five Members of The Royal Family have ever in Horse Guards Parade. costly refurbishment lasting several months, so of Commemoration held come together to light beacons at the same The Trust were looking for a unique opening in churches and cathedrals time in different parts of the country. The Golden Jubilee ceremony linked to its historical past, so Bruno throughout the UK and Channel 2002 Summer Party. originated and organised a colourful pageant Islands over this Weekend. The first of Bruno also From January 1st 2001 to October 30th around the base of the monument using over 1000 beacons was lit by Her Majesty organised the 2002 Bruno Peek led a team of 18 people individuals and various members The Queen alongside HMS Victory at Trafalgar Night to co-ordinate the lighting of over 2,000 of local historic societies etc, to Portsmouth. Bruno once again had the Dinner in Great beacons throughout the UK, Channel Islands, music being played by The Band of The honour of handing Her Majesty the torch used Yarmouth, attended Commonwealth and 17 other countries around Parachute Regiment, thus providing those to light the beacon at an event shown live on by more than 670 the world to celebrate HM The Queen’s Golden attending with a memorable spectacle. BBC television that evening. people, including Jubilee on Monday June 3rd 2002. who have either suffered from cancer or are related to those who have suffered from the disease. The relay raised more than £100,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Golden Jubilee Dinner. 2002 Bruno organised a special dinner for 650 guests on June 22nd 2002. Music was provided by the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment, complemented by a Fanfare Team of The National Golden Jubilee Beacon on the Queen four Irish and four Scottish pipers. The evening Victoria Memorial. Photo courtesy of Mark Crame. Pop group Liberty X as the torchbearers in Great Yarmouth. was full of colour and pageantry and raised over £12,500 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Bruno had the honour of guiding Her Majesty through ceremony to light her National Beacon The Millennium Flame. sited on the Queen Victoria Memorial, facing with Diana Moran and the Millennium Flame. During 2000 the Beacon on The Mall, London. Beacons 2000 Millennium team, under the leadership of were lit from the Arctic to the Antarctic, from The Golden Jubilee Summer Bruno, organised the journey of the Millennium Tonga to Samoa, from the top of Mount Kenya Party Torch Relay. 2002 Flame around the United Kingdom. The Flame to Nepal, from the Scilly Isles to Saxa Vord, The Millennium Flame that Her Majesty used was first lit in Sunderland in May 1999 and from Lowestoft to Roch and from Kilkeel to to light the Millennium Beacon in 1999 is being Strabane. Many thousands of other events kept alight and is currently travelling around including garden and street parties were also the UK. In April 2002, with the involvement of organised on this day, bringing people, families Cancer Research UK and sponsorship provided and communities together in celebration. by British Gas, the Flame left Great Yarmouth to commence its one-month long journey to London where it was used by Her Majesty to light the National Beacon on June 3rd 2002. The flame was carried by celebrities and individuals A street party at Hale, Cheshire celebrating the Golden Jubilee.

Her Majesty The Queen accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and Bruno Peek at the lighting of the Golden Jubilee National Beacon.

Scientists at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Photo courtesy British Antarctic Survey.

The Millennium Flame on its journey around the UK. Photo courtesy of Mark Crame.

used by Her Majesty The Queen to light the National Beacon on December 31st 1999. The Flame visited 98 locations and was associated with raising over £500,000 for national and local charities. The flame is still alight today and will remain so until 2012 when it will be used to light beacons to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. Photos of Nelson’s return to Great Trafalgar Night. Yarmouth courtesy of the Eastern On October 21st 2000, as a 1999 & 2000 Daily Press. 2000 Beacon Millennium. prelude to the Nelson Pageant, Bruno organised From August 1993 to December 31st 2000 a Trafalgar Night Dinner for 590 dinner at the Bruno Peek led a team of 15 people to Ocean Room, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth. The co-ordinate the lighting of over 1,300 beacons event raised £4700 for King George’s Fund on 31st December 1999 to celebrate the for Sailors. Guest of honour was Admiral Sir official start of the UK’s year-long Millennium Michael Boyce, First Sea Lord and Chief of Festival. A further 575 beacons were lit on Naval Staff. A baron of beef donated by HRH 31st December 2000 to close the festival the Duke of Edinburgh was paraded to the top and the year 2000. All these beacons were table by the Fort Cumberland Guard and music associated with local community events both was provided by the Band of the Royal Air Force large and small and it is estimated that more College, Cranwell.

Kisumu Children’s Home. 1998 Bruno raised £31,000 towards the building of a new Christian based children’s home close to Lake Victoria, Kisumu, Kenya, for ‘street children’ who were either addicted to sniffing glue, taking drugs or just made homeless through the death of their parents.

The Royal British Legion 1996 75th Anniversary. In celebration of the Royal British Legion’s 75th Anniversary, Bruno Peek was commissioned by than two million people throughout the RBL to conceive and organise the Great British UK attended these events. At 09.45pm on Poppy Chain. A 75-mile unbroken chain of December 31st 1999 Bruno was granted the poppies was laid between Cromer and Great honour of handing the ceremonial torch to Yarmouth in Norfolk on August 25th 1996 as Her Majesty to light the National Beacon on part of the project, which raised over £391,000. the River Thames, London. The lighting of the three other National Beacons followed. The VE Day 50th Anniversary beacon lighting events played a high profile 1995 Celebrations. and important role in the BBC’s 24-hour live In December 1994, Bruno Peek was broadcast involving over 50 countries. Billions commissioned by HM Government through of people around the world saw the lighting of the World War ll Commemoration Team to the beacon on the Thames - the largest ever lit organise/co-ordinate the staging of street in the UK, burning over one hundred litres of parties and lighting of beacons as part of the liquid gas per minute. UK’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations of VE Day A Piper at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland during Beacon Europe. on May 8th 1995. In a matter of a few months Nelson Returns to England more than 1,500 street parties and events were the 12 countries of the European Community 2000 at Great Yarmouth. planned and over 2,000 beacons organised. The to celebrate the official launch of the Single On November 6th and 7th 2000 Bruno was national beacon was lit in Hyde Park, London, European Market. Bruno Peek conceived Pageantmaster to the Nelson Pageant in Great by Her Majesty the Queen during a live world- and organised the whole project, from the Yarmouth. Featuring a cast of 400 people, the successful television programme Hornblower. wide television broadcast. design and distribution of the promotional event recreated the visit of Vice Admiral Nelson Nelson was taken to the Market Place, where literature, in various languages, to the world- to Great Yarmouth on November 6th 1800. he was given the Freedom of the Borough and Beacon Europe, European wide publicity, and it is estimated that over It marked Nelson’s first step on English soil was entertained by a choir of 150. Music was 1992 Unity Celebrations. five million people took part. Apart from the since the Battle of the Nile. He landed from provided by the Band of the Royal Artillery At midnight on December 31st 1992 more EC countries, , Malta and Gibraltar the Grand Turk, a ship specially built for the Company. than 1,000 beacon signal fires were lit across took part, and all the participating capital city BBC TV’s Fair Game. LVO OBE OPR 1985 Promoting and stage-managing Bruno Peek the pilot programme Fair Game, for the BBC hosted by Samantha Fox, Bill Oddy and Geoff re-design of the sea front at Weston-Super Mare of the Spanish Armada. Attracting thousands Capes. and the Tree of Time at the 1992 Wales Garden of people, the event involved local authorities Festival opened by HRH The Prince of Wales. and voluntary organisations, with each beacon Do It In The Streets. having an associated activity. There was live 1985 550 festivals of street ESSO Petroleum. coverage on national and regional television entertainment throughout England as part of 1989 Bruno was employed as and full-page coverage in national and local England Entertains. co-ordinating agent for Esso’s entry into the newspapers, with the Sunday Telegraph Lord Mayor’s Show to celebrate the company’s describing it as “the biggest spectacle of its kind England Entertains anniversary. He was responsible for the design, this century”. The first beacon in the chain was 1984 Executive Committee. construction, transportation and manning of lit by Spain’s Ambassador to the Court of St. Invited to join the English Tourist Board’s the float. James, and many of the beacons are still located Executive Committee for their England on original beacon sites. Entertains national tourism campaign. Fire Over England. 1988 400 beacon signals were lit London Economic Summit. across England and Wales on July 19th to 1987-1988 1984 Garden Party featuring celebrate the 400th anniversary of the sighting The Great Armada Pageant. traditional British entertainment at Kensington Lighting of the Beacon Europe Flame in Athens, Greece. The pageant celebrated the 400th anniversary Palace, London, attended by 750 guests, including Lady Thatcher and President beacons were lit by the current Prime Ministers of the visit by Queen Elizabeth I to Tilbury to Mitterand of France. or Heads of State. Beacon Europe had more review the troops prior to the invasion by the than 40 patrons, took four years to organise and Spanish Armada. It was a tourism spectacular Old Father Time. was the first event of its kind to take place. involving a cast of 2,000, with a total of 84,000 people attending the event over two days. Media 1984 530 towns and villages throughout England celebrated New Year’s Eve coverage included interviews with Bruno on by recreating local history, including a Robin the Wogan Show, the Derek Jameson Show and 1989-1992 Hood evening, an Elizabethan celebration and Sparks Creative Services. Going Live, with a national press launch in the a Dickensian evening, with live coverage from Bruno was employed as Development Director Waterman’s Hall, London. the BBC. with responsibility for seeking out new business opportunities in heritage for local authorities Bob Wilson and Sons Ltd. Battle of the Pop Bands. and the private sector. This included creating Bruno was contracted by Bob 1986 Stage-managing the finals for new and unique tourist attractions such as Wilson and Sons Ltd and the Government of 1983 the BBC at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. the first specially designed themed tourist Sri Lanka to set up and run the third world’s information and heritage centre at Cromwell’s first theme park, developed in Victoria Park, Old Father Time. House, Ely; the Saltburn Smugglers Tourist Colombo. He employed 140 staff and was 400 towns and villages Information and Heritage Centre; the Story responsible for all elements of the project from 1983 participated, with live coverage from the BBC of the Guillotine at the London Dungeon; the importing equipment to granting merchandise licences. The Prime Minister of the day, The and a national press launch in costume at the Hon R. Premadasa, officially opened the park. Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. Chain of beacons at the Golden Capp Estate, Dorset. Old Father Time. 1982 360 towns and villages Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR throughout England participated, with live Pageantmaster coverage from the BBC. Operation Sea Fire. Pageantmaster’s House, 110 Lowestoft Road, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, 1981 A chain of 90 beacon fires were Norfolk NR31 6NB, United Kingdom lit around England to launch officially Maritime

Landline: + 44 (0) 1493 662 168 (8am - 6pm) England. Designed by www.tms-media.co.uk Official opening of the themed Tourist Information Centre at Mobile: + 44 (0) 7737 262 913 (24 hours) Cromwell’s House in Ely, Cambridgeshire. Email: [email protected]