Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR Pageantmaster - MORE THAN 37 YEARS OF ORGANISING NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL EVENTS - VE Day 75
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Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR
Pageantmaster
MORE THAN 37 YEARS OF ORGANISING NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
For more than 37 years Bruno Peek has
conceived and organised events on the
Organised Events
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 England - 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 Australia. 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 Westminster Abbey, London.
❖ Over 1,300 Buglers played the Last Post at 6.55pm local time in the country they were in, throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man 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 Royal Navy, 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 Tower, 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 Victoria Cross
New light has been shed on a special breed of men who fought on the Western The Victoria Cross (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, Kent, before joining the 172nd Tunnelling Company.
The British Army 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 George V
Following the blasts, it took to Sapper Hackett’s widow,
just three hours for the Alice, at Buckingham Palace
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 major 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: Trench Post and Soil Sample - Donated the Dean of Westminster, from the
in which those fighting on the Western Front
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 - Donated by the l’Association du that died during dreadful conditions
Ballast (pictured right)
OPR, Originator and Pageantmaster of Mémorial de l’Armistice, Compiègne, France, on the battlefields of the Western
The pieces of ballast came from between the
Battle’s Over - A Nation’s Tribute 11th with the valuable assistance of Elizabeth Front, on the high seas and in the
railway lines where the WWI Armistice was signed
November 2018. Bailey and the Friends of Compiègne, Bury St air, along with paying tribute to the
on 11th November 1918, in the railway carriage
of French military commander Marshal Ferdinand Edmunds, Suffolk, England. WW1 Tunnellers, the thousands
The E. Thomas & Williams Bonnetted Clanny Lamp Cover - Produced by students at Cliff of civilian coal miners that left the
Foch. Its location in the Forest of Compiègne,
(Meusler) Lamp - Donated by Bruno Peek. Park Ormiston Academy, Great Yarmouth, in coalfields of the UK, to dig tunnels
55 miles north of Paris, was chosen because it
association with SPP Digital Great Yarmouth. under the German Lines during
was remote and discreet. The Armistice itself was
The Victoria Cross - Replica Victoria Cross Base of the Lamplight of Peace - World War 1.
agreed six hours earlier at 5am local time. Its first
donated by Bruno Peek. Sponsored by Bruno Peek Pageantmaster Ltd.
term was that fighting would end at 11am.
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.2016 HM The Queen’s 90th
Birthday, 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 Cambridge Gate,
Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Windsor Castle, by Her Majesty The Queen early that evening.
Royal Highness 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.2015 VE 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
8th May 2015
and UK Overseas Territories in celebration of
the 70th Anniversary of VE Day.
P&O and Cunard Line, Brisbane, Australia 2015.
2014 Fly a Flag for the
Commonwealth, 10th March.
2012 London Olympics 2012 Ritz
Hotel celebration dinner.
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
Commonwealth family. 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.
2015 Fly a Flag for the
Commonwealth, 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 2014.2012 The Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee 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.
2011 Great Poppy Party Weekend
- 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.2009 Fly A Flag For Our Armed
Forces - 22nd June 2009.
Unique Armed Forces Day Flags were raised
2009 The Millennium Flame.
The Millennium Flame which has been kept
2008 The Millennium Flame.
Norman Kaphan, Chief Barker,
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’.
Torpoint Army Cadet Force. 2008 Flying the 2012 Olympic
flag.
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.
2009 The Loving Cup of England.
During 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.2008 Enjoy England Celebrate St.
George’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 Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Baroness Thatcher and Bruno Peek OBE MVO OPR arrive at the Painted Hall, Greenwich, London, 14th June 2007.
2008 The Loving Cup of England.
Miss Georgia Horsley - Miss
England 2008, arrives at Westminster Hall,
2007
Loving Cup of
2007 Enjoy England Celebrate St.
George’s Day 23rd April.
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
of England from 2007 Inaugural National St.
George’s Day Banquet -
2007 Service of Remembrance
and Commemoration, The
Royal British Legion Drinks Reception and
the 5th of February
through to the 23rd
of April 2007 as
23rd April.
The Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace,
Westminster, London.
The Heroes’ Dinner - 14th June 2007. part of the Enjoy
One of the official events organised as part of
the Government and MOD 25th Anniversary
Commemorations of the Falkland Islands conflict.
England Celebrate
St. George’s Day
campaign.
2006 Official opening and
rededication of Nelson’s
Monument, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.HRH The Duke of York visiting the period encampment at the Royal Norfolk Showground. The Red Arrows flying display at Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival.
2005 The Trafalgar Weekend.
A weekend of national
celebrations commemorating the 200th
2005 60th Anniversary of the
End of World War II.
A dinner party attended by His Royal Highness
2002 Her Majesty The Queen’s
Golden Jubilee.
June 3rd Golden Jubilee Summer Party. April
Bruno was appointed a Member of the Royal
Victorian Order (MVO) in Her Majesty The
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
by Her Majesty The Queen, and the four
Principal Beacons in other parts of the UK by 2005 Lowestoft Seafront
Air Festival.
2000 Nelson Returns to England
at Great Yarmouth.
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
2005 Nelson’s Farewell to Norfolk.
A costumed pageant
commemorating Vice Admiral Nelson leaving
people over the two days and the Guests of
Honour were Air Marshal Sir Clive Loader and
Air Vice Marshal Andy White.
glorious victory at The Nile in 1800. His Royal
Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was Patron
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
the French and 2004 Geoffrey Hoon MP.
Spanish at Trafalgar
in 1805. The event
was attended by
Mayfayres Day, May 3rd.
Conceived and organised the event on May
3rd in 14 towns in the East Midlands as part of
1999 & 2000
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.1988 Fire over England and
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.
❖❖❖
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 City
of London and a Member of The Polonia
Restituta by The President of Poland.
❖❖❖
During his time as a Pageantmaster and
events organiser Bruno has used his extensive
experience in dealing with the local,
Donna Maria with her team of Maypole dancers.
regional, national and international media,
Photos courtesy of Mark Crame. encouraging their involvement, along with
acting as a catalyst for event promotion
1996 The Great British
Poppy Chain.
The central part of The Royal British Legion’s
1992 Beacon Europe.
December 31st. Celebrations
of the official opening of the Single European
and publicity. This included two ‘live’ New
Year’s Eve broadcasts networked throughout
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
1995 Beacons, Bonfires &
Street Parties.
Organised as part of the 50th anniversary
of the United Kingdom, Monsieur Jacques
Chirac, President of France and Egon
A. Klepach, President of The European
Show and Richard and Judy to name but a
few. His events have also attracted a huge
amount of coverage in the local, national and
celebrations of VE Day. Parliament. international press. Kate O’Mara as Elizabeth I.2015 VE 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. Leicester.
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.2015 Fly a Flag for the
Commonwealth, 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.2014 Fly a Flag for the
Commonwealth, 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, Northern Ireland 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 2014.2012 London Olympics 2012 Ritz
Hotel 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 2014.2012 The Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee 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 Queen Victoria’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
London, where it was held for safe-keeping in the White Tower.
The first beacons lit were in Tonga. These 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 Barbados, whose supporters were responsible for lighting
Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Gambia, over 650 beacons for The Queen’s Golden
Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, Jubilee in 2002, encouraged their supporters
Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Saint once more ten years on.
Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vanuatu, South Beacons were lit by groups as diverse as
Africa, Zambia, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Flash Church of England Primary School,
British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Staffordshire, which has only seven pupils
Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, 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 Republic of Ireland and the Tree Tops
resort in Kenya, 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 Tower of London, Lambeth Palace, 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, Cheshire 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,
Uganda, providing a lasting legacy from Shipston on Stour.
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 Lieutenant of The Royal Victorian Order (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 Diamond
Jubilee Concert.
Below: The National Beacon, The Mall, London.
UHSM Hospital, Manchester, Green Beacon. Beacon Brazier, Downe Activity Centre. Beacon Sculpture, Penn and Tylers Green. Beacon Brazier, Helsby Hill. Gas fuelled Beacons, Liverpool.2011
and 12th June.
The Great Poppy Party
Weekend - 10th, 11th
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.2009 Fly A Flag For Our Armed
Forces.
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,
Suffolk (most easterly
countries serving people and veterans to know
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).2009 The Loving Cup of England.
During 2009, the Loving Cup of England was
On the the 21st April it was used
to undertake the ‘Loyal Toast’
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
2009 Millennium Flame - 27th
May.
Since May 1999, the Millennium Flame has been
appeals. St. Nicholas Church, Great Yarmouth,
the Parish Church of Wellingborough All Saints,
Friends of the Elderly, Cancer Research UK, the
time the Cup had been used in this way.
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.
2008 Flying the Flag - 24th
August.
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: Boris Johnson, Mayor of London; Bruno Peek OBE, MVO; Norman Kaphan; Chief Barker of Royal Variety
Club at The Guildhall, City of London.
2008
November.
Millennium Flame & Variety
Club of Great Britain - 4th
Memorial, where it was officially received
by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales,
before making its way into the Festival of
The Needles, Isle of Wight.
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 Victoriaof 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)
2008
highest pub in Great Britain, from the Summit Olympic Games in 2012. Enjoy England Celebrate St.
of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England George’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, Miss Georgia 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
2008
asparagus.
The Loving Cup of England.
Bruno being presented with the silk and gold Frock Coat. During 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.2007 Service of Remembrance
and 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 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. Heroes of ‘82.
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
2007 Enjoy England Celebrate St.
George’s Day 23rd April.
There are more than 50 million people in this
on 23rd April 2007 and was attended by
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, the High
Commissioner of Malta, Ambassador of
of England, the Cup
was officially received
on behalf of the
place at The Banqueting House, Whitehall
Palace, Westminster, London, where it was
received by The Rt. Worshipful The Lord Mayor
country. They are of multiple nationalities, Slovenia, The Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell MP, citizens of each City of Westminster, 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
event is ongoing and is called Enjoy England
Celebrate St. George’s Day, encouraging
2007 The Grand Tour of the
Loving Cup of England
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.
2005 The Trafalgar Weekend.
His specific achievements
and projects over the past 25 years include
Following this, HRH
The Prince of Wales
lit the Principal 2005 60th Anniversary of the
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
2006
Monument.
The Opening
of Nelson’s
provided the Foreword for the
promotional brochure used to
encourage the involvement of
Castle, Northern
Ireland; HRH The
Princess Royal lit
II Victoria Cross and George Cross holders that
attended the commemorations and on July 9th,
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
ceremony linked to its historical past, so Bruno
originated and organised a colourful pageant
in churches and cathedrals
throughout the UK and Channel
Islands over this Weekend. The first of
time in different parts of the country.
Bruno also
2002 The Golden Jubilee
Summer Party.
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.You can also read
