People from across the Island community joined together for a special commemoration service making the death of Her Late Majesty The Queen.
Pews were full as civil dignitaries, members of the public and officials from various walks of life attended a moving service at Newport Minster, led by the Acting Arch Deacon of the Isle of Wight, the Rev Allie Kerr.
The event, which was also live-streamed for those unable to be there in person, provided an opportunity for those attending to remember Her Late Majesty and what she meant to the people of the Island and reflect on her life.
The service, which started at 6pm, included hymns, prayers and readings, with Rev Kerr welcoming the congregation.
She said,
“We meet this day to remember before God our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, to renew our trust and confidence in Christ, and to pray that together we may be one in him, through whom we offer our prayers and praises to the Father.”
A litany of Thanksgiving was led by the Isle of Wight Area Dean, the Rev Steve Daughtery, which was followed by readings by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Mrs Susie Sheldon, and the chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Claire Critchison.
The service was sung by the choirs of the parish of Newport and Carisbrooke and the Isle of Wight Cantata Choir. Anthems included God Be in My Head (H Walford Davies/John Rutter) and I Was Glad (CH Parry).
Rev Kerr concluded the service with a blessing before the congregation sang The National Anthem. There was a retiring collection for Community Action Isle of Wight.
The gathering, held on the eve of the State Funeral, was diverse with military veterans wearing medals and young children among those in the crowd.
Dignitaries including the Island’s High Sheriff, Mrs Kay Marriott, the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Island MP, Mr Bob Seely and former Lord-Lieutenants of the Isle of Wight, including Major-General Sir Martin White and Mr Christopher Bland, were among those who attended.
The service came ahead of a national one-minute’s silence on Sunday at 8pm.
Books of Condolence
Our Books of Condolence located in County Hall and in libraries across the Island will close today (Tuesday) at 6pm.
Once closed, the books will form part of the council’s archive so that future generations are able to easily gain access to them and find out the way in which this sad national event was marked.
Cards and messages of condolence left at Church Litten, Newport, will also be placed in the county archive.
Floral tributes
Thank you to everyone who has left floral tributes at Church Litten. The flowers will be sensitively removed from today.
In keeping with the wishes of His Majesty The King, they will be turned into compost and used to nourish a number of trees to be planted in The Queen’s honour.
Given Her Late Majesty’s innovative Queen’s Green Canopy campaign, this seems a fitting way to honour and cherish her memory.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
