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The sound of 12 cannon rounds echoed across the peninsula in honour of Queen Elizabeth IIs diamond jubilee celebrations at the East Fort in Hout Bay yesterday. Each round fired by the oldest battery of working guns represented five years of her reign. Photo: Masixole Feni
Barbara Maregele
QUEEN Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne were celebrated in style in Cape Town yesterday with cannons fired at the East Fort in Hout Bay and a flotilla of yachts performing a sail-past in Victoria Basin in Cape Town harbour.
The events - to honour the queen’s reign started in the afternoon when the Honourable Order of Hout Bay Artillerymen and the SA Navy band joined guests, who included the British Consul-General Chris Trott and Cultural and Sports MEC Ivan Meyer, at the East Fort in Hout Bay yesterday for a 12-cannon salute.
Followed by the British and South African anthems, each round fired by the world’s oldest working battery represented five years of the queen’s reign.
“This fort was built in 1790 and has been here ever since. They were all built in Sweden and it’s ironic that the only time they were fired in anger was at a British ship during the war,” master gunner Allan Dellbridge said. The V&A Waterfront also hosted a public event where Trott lit a beacon followed by a further six cannon rounds being fired.
A flotilla of Royal Cape Yacht Club boats sailed past into the Victoria Basin while the Cape Town Highlanders marched from Ferryman’s Restaurant to Nobel Square.
A small crowd gathered to watch proceedings. “We are pleased to help mark this auspicious occasion. The V&A Waterfront has a longstanding relationship with the British monarchy, dating back to 1870 when Prince Alfred opened the Breakwater Basin which today forms part of the property,” Waterfront spokesperson Chantelle Cole said.
barbara.maregele@inl.co.za
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