Public bench installed in Llantilio Crossenny

Published: 31 July 2024

The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. An announcement was made to extend the bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June 2022 to provide opportunities for communities throughout the UK to come together to celebrate this historic milestone.

A group was founded in Llantilio Crossenny to manage the celebrations. The plan was to light a beacon on the Thursday and to hold events at the Hog's Head public house on Saturday and Sunday. The group also aimed to plant a tree, give commemorative presents to school children and to create a Jubilee Book to record information about the village

The group held fundraising events and was given £1,000 by Llantilio Crossenny Community Council and was also given help to ensure all members of the community were able to be involved. The £1,000 was given to Llantilio WI to purchase Jubilee mugs and the remainder on prizes at the Big Lunch. Following a very successful Jubilee weekend the group started to plan how to spend the residual funds. The group suggested installing a bench on public land close to Llantilio Church on the public footpath. Whitecastle Community Council supported this idea and work began in 2024. The community council is delighted with the new bench and would like to thank the Jubilee on its excellent work in the community. The bench very quickly attracted walkers who were walking Offa's Dyke National Footpath.