Bells to ring across churches in West Berkshire and North Hampshire to mark Queen's death

Bells will ring out at churches across West Berkshire and North Hampshire at midday today (Friday) to mark the death of the Queen.

The Church of England is encouraging parish churches, chapels and cathedrals to ring their bells for an hour. As a mark of respect, bells will be muffled where possible. This only happens with the passing of a monarch.

Among the churches joining in will be St Mary's Church in Hampstead Norreys, St Mary's Church, Thatcham and the Church of the Ascension, Burghclere.

Church bells will ring again for the Proclamation of the new King, which is expected to be tomorrow (Saturday).

As a mark of respect, some buildings will be flying the Union Flag for ten days, raising it temporarily to for King Charles.

Newbury Town Hall is flying the Union Flag at half mast and will raise it today (September 9) at 11am.

It will then be taken back down to half mast for the remainder of the mourning period of ten days.

St Mary's Church in Hampstead Norreys will be ringing the bells with the rest of the country at midday.

The bells will be fully muffled except the tenor which will only be half muffled.

It will also be ringing on the day of the Proclamation of the new King, on Saturday.

St Mary’s Church in Thatcham will be joining in and ringing its bells, half muffled at noon.

It will be open all day and early evening for those who wish to pray.

The Church of the Ascension Burghclere will also observing the national bell ringing.

St Mary's Church in Silchester will be ringing its bells in mourning, fully muffled. The tenor will be half muffled

The Silchester Bellringers said bells will proceed to ring every day for the next ten days.

On the day that the Palace proclaims the new King they will be rung unmuffled in celebration of the accession.

They then will revert to being rung muffled until the day of the Queen’s funeral.

St. Mary’s Church, St. Luke’s Church and St. Paul’s Church in Tadley will all toll their bells along with the rest of the country from mid-day until 1pm.