Civic pride is 'part of our culture'

The chief executive of Newbury Town Council, Graham Hunt, said honouring past traditions was still important

CIVIC pride and honouring past traditions is still an important part of our culture, according to the chief executive of Newbury Town Council.

This is despite there being little commemoration planned locally to mark the passing of the ‘Democratic King', George V, who died 75 years ago today (Thursday).

At the time of his death in 1936, several impressive services were held in Newbury and the surrounding villages, with people in mourning and an evident feeling of deep and personal loss among the large congregations.

The centuries-old parish church of Newbury even had to repeat the memorial service to the late King George V in 1936, but now, a lack of events locally appears to tell a different story.

However, the chief executive of Newbury Town Council, Graham Hunt, said the success of the current film, The King's Speech, was an example of the empathy and feeling that still exists with past royals.

He said: “I feel there is still a feeling of civic pride and honouring past traditions. It is part of our culture.”