Mayor Nash Ali met the team at Hopscotch

ONE of the first tasks for the new mayor of Camden will be to help light a beacon in honour of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

Flames at more than 1,500 locations across the country are being lit at 9.45pm tonight (Thursday) with the mayor overseeing the ceremony in Russell Square Gardens.

Cllr Nash Ali, who this week was visiting Hopscotch, the charity chosen for his mayoral fundraising, will be back in the same gardens on Saturday for a gospel music festival for the jubilee celebrations.

They are two events in a whole four-day schedule of celebrations across Camden, from street parties, to church blessings, to community centre parties.

“As the longest-reigning monarch in British history this is a truly historic moment, and we look forward as a borough to celebrate all that Queen Elizabeth II has achieved during her 70 years of service,” said Cllr Ali. “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is an inspirational figure to so many in Camden and around the world and I hope residents will join the celebrations.”

Camden has suggested residents that they picnic in its parks over the bank holiday – but said they should inform the council of any plans involving more than 25 people.

Road closures for events will be in place at several locations around the borough including Chalcot Square in Primrose Hill and New End in Hampstead on Saturday, and Pilgrim’s Lane in Hampstead and Agamemnon Road in West Hampstead on Sunday.