Platinum Jubilee: Thousands of beacons lit in Wales

Beacons like this one on the Garth, north of Cardiff, were lit across Wales on Thursday evening

Beacons have been lit across Wales to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Queen is the first British monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne, and in September 2015, she surpassed Queen Victoria to become the longest reigning monarch in British history.

First Minister Mark Drakeford paid tribute to her and will attend events in Cardiff and London over the weekend.

He gave "thanks and warmest congratulations" on her "historic milestone".

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Forty-two shots were fired at midday on Thursday as part of a royal gun salute in Cardiff Bay

At 12:00 BST a royal gun salute in Cardiff Bay signalled the start of the Jubilee celebrations, with an hour of military music from the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh following.

As part of the event, 42 shots were fired - 21 to mark the Queen's birthday, and another 21 to mark the Jubilee.

The event was important for Col Siôn Walker, Deputy Commander of the 160th Welsh Brigade, as he gave the salute to allow the guns to be fired.

"I joined the Reserve Army in 1985 and was commissioned in 1991, joining the 224 Squadron in Lampeter," he said.

Col Siôn Walker said it was a "great honour" to oversee the tribute to the Queen

"I first met the Queen in 1992 during the yeoman's parade year as the junior officer at the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry.

"It is a great honour to oversee Wales's tribute to Her Majesty the Queen today."

Meanwhile in Holywell, Flintshire, market stalls and bunting lined the high street for the Jubilee, while the council and volunteers arranged free food for children and a tea party for older residents.

A Punch and Judy show was run by the local town crier in Holywell

Later in the evening, a beacon was lit outside the Pierhead building in Cardiff Bay, in co-ordinance with thousands of beacons across the UK and the capitals of 54 Commonwealth countries.

There was a fireworks display to finish the celebrations in the Bay.

Oystermouth Castle in Swansea, Tenby's Castle Hill, Queen Elizabeth II playing fields in Newport, Park Havard in Llanelli and Bangor Pier in Gwynedd also lit beacons as part of the celebrations.

In Denbighshire, the home of the national Urdd Eisteddfod, beacons were lit in Rhyl Events Arena.

In Flintshire five beacons were lit along the coastline including a striking dragon in Bagillt.

Bagillt beacon, in Flintshire, will be lit as part of the celebrations

"Bagillt's beacon is a very distinctive dragon, and it's part of the landscape," Helen Mrowiec, the site leader for Denbighshire and Flintshire council, said before the event.

"I think it's a great thing we have these beacons as part of a national event and that it's going to be different in each locality.

"It's part of our history that the Queen has been on the throne for so long and it's important that people have the opportunity to be part of those celebrate if they want to."

Helen Mrowiec said communities were looking forward to getting together to celebrate the Jubilee

The main torch was lit at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

But not everyone will be supporting and celebrating the Jubilee - Erwyn Jones is a republican and lives in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.

He said he believed it was unfair people in Wales are expected to celebrate the Queen, as she is a "rich woman" who has no connection to Wales.

"I think it's time to ask the question, do we as a country want to continue with the monarchy?"

Erwyn Jones said he wants to be far away from any Jubilee celebrations

"I think out of a population of 66 million I'm sure we can do better than having a boss who's been from the same family for years and years.

"I certainly wouldn't celebrate the Jubilee. I will be spending my weekend going up a mountain far enough from any Jubilee celebrations," he added.

'Not interested at all'

At the Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbigh - there was a mixed review for the celebrations.

Elsie Roberts from Pwllheli, Gwynedd, said: "For everyone who loves to celebrate, I think it is good for people to have a celebration, but the jubilee might not be for everyone."

Ken Morfydd Owen has said he was not especially keen on celebrating the Jubilee, and would much rather have a public holiday for St David's Day

Ken Morfydd Owen said he would be "doing everything I can to avoid the jubilee altogether".

"I considered going to Ireland so I didn't see anything, but it just didn't happen," he added.

"Turn off the TV, turn off the radio and be in a dark room I think. I'm not interested at all, it's fine for everyone to celebrate, but I'd rather have a bank holiday to celebrate St David's Day rather than the Queen."