College students engineer beacons for royal celebration

Engineering students from Furness College have been working on a project for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Level 1 engineering students from the Channelside campus have teamed up with BAE Systems apprentices to create beacons that will be lit to mark the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s reign.

The two beacons have been created to go on display at South End Caravan Park on Walney for owner Simon Mulgrew and at Biggar Village for community leaders Steve McKellar and Mike Benson.

Scott Wilson, Curriculum Lead for Pipe Fabrication and Welding at Furness College, said it was a fantastic opportunity for the students to be involved in something that will be a significant and lasting part of history.

“All the students have exceeded expectations working on this project. The Level 1 engineering students alongside the BAE Systems apprentices welded all the beacons together, I barely had to get involved.”

“It’s unbelievable to see what they have created, the beacons have come out far better than I expected. The students have worked so hard, they’ve been on this project since Christmas”

Leah McQuistan, who studies at Furness College as part of her technician apprenticeship for BAE Systems, said: “It was a good project to work on as it’s a bit different and I was happy I was selected to take part.

“At first it was difficult as we had to work out how it would piece together as a project and there were a few obstacles we had to get over. However, I am really impressed with how it has turned out.” 

Mike said he was ‘over the moon’ when he saw the finished beacon that will be installed at Biggar Village.

“I thought it would be nice as a village to organise something so we could be part of the Platinum Jubilee and join in with the national picture. Working with Furness College and BAE Systems was something I wanted to do as it’s a community project and I wanted people involved,” he said. “I am really happy with the final result and a massive thank you to everyone involved.”

All the students involved have welded their initials onto the beacons as a lasting memento of their great achievement.

Both beacons will be lit on 2^nd June, 9.45pm at Biggar Village and South End Caravan Park as part of a public ceremony which everyone will be invited to.