The list of planned formal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London has been published – should you fancy booking a bit of time off to have your ears deafened by the firing of cannons to celebrate an event or two.
The cannons are coincidentally aimed at the home of the London Mayor, but sadly – or fortunately, depending on your political persuasion – fire blanks for the ceremonial firings.
The firings are usually carried out by the Honourable Artillery Company.
Occasionally, HMS Belfast also fires some of its guns for testing. Famously, its forward six-inch guns of A and B Turrets are aimed at the London Gateway motorway service centre on the M1 motorway, some 12½ miles away on the outskirts of London.
All times are approximate:
Monday 7th February 1300 | HM Queen’s Accession to the throne | |
March/April TBC 1200 | State Visit | |
Thursday 21st April 1300 | Birthday of HM Queen | |
Friday 29th April – TBC | TBC State Occasion (gosh, what could that be?) | |
Thursday 2nd June 1300 | HM Queen’s Coronation | |
Friday 10th June 1300 | Birthday of HRH Duke of Edinburgh | |
Saturday 11th June 1300 | Official Birthday of HM Queen | |
Saturday 25th June TBC | Armed Forces Day | |
July/August TBC 1300 | State Visit | |
September/October TBC 1300 | State Visit | |
Tuesday 15th November 1300 | Birthday of HRH Prince of Wales | |
November TBC 1200 | State Opening of Parliament |
All times are approximate:
Monday 7th February 1300 | HM Queen’s Accession to the throne |
March/April TBC 1200 | State Visit |
Thursday 21st April 1300 | Birthday of HM Queen |
Friday 29th April – TBC | TBC State Occasion |
Thursday 2nd June 1300 | HM Queen’s Coronation |
Friday 10th June 1300 | Birthday of HRH Duke of Edinburgh |
Saturday 11th June 1300 | Official Birthday of HM Queen |
Saturday 25th June TBC | Armed Forces Day |
July/August TBC 1300 | State Visit |
September/October TBC 1300 | State Visit |
Tuesday 15th November 1300 | Birthday of HRH Prince of Wales |
November TBC 1200 | State Opening of Parliament |
The motorway service centre is an odd choice of target.
I suspect most people who have used the place would think it is an ideal target for flattening.
If you’ve ever had the hot meal buffet there, you’d appreciate the peas being shelled.