Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II remembered in West Berkshire thanksgiving service
School children and members of the public joined dignitaries for a service of thanksgiving for the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The congregation was welcomed into St Nicolas Church on Friday (November 4) by Rev Will Hunter Smart, rector of the Newbury church, having been greeted at the door by her retired racehorse, Barber Shop.
The hundreds of people who joined the service sang hymns and said prayers as they remembered the years of service given by The Queen, who died on September 8 at Bamoral Castle in Scotland.
Newbury MP Laura Farris, Mayor of Newbury Gary Norman, council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen), The Queen’s racing manager John Warren and his wife, Lady Carolyn Herbert, and the Princess of Wales’ brother, James Middleton were among those at the commemoration evening.
Mrs Farris read from Mark 10:35-45 during the service.
She said: “The Queen had unique and specific links to West Berkshire through her love of racing and also through the family of the Princess of Wales.
“Since her death, it’s been striking to me how deeply her absence affects the racing industry - many within it who considered her a friend as well as a patron - and how much her various visits here were treasured by those she met.
“It was important to commemorate her life with this service and incredibly touching to see the involvement of local schools with their fantastic performances and of course, seeing her horse Barber Shop, greeting everyone on arrival.
“It was a privilege to be a part of the service and I think West Berkshire Council did a wonderful job in putting it together.”
The Castle School choir sang Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’, before a video - Racing Remembers Her Majesty The Queen – was shown.
Falkland Primary School choir then sang Sing, by Gary Barlow and Sydmonton resident Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The first reading, Hebrews 12:1-3, was read by Rick Jones (Con, Tilehurst and Purley), chairman of West Berkshire Council.
The national anthem and Lord’s Prayer were said and St Nicolas Church choir also sang at the service of commemoration.
The retiring cash collection from the event, which was held on Friday, November 4, will be given to Greenham Trust and West Berkshire Council Emergency Cost of Living Crisis Fund.
Barber Shop was the last foal bred by the late Queen Mother and was owned by the late Queen Elizabeth II and was brought down to the service by owner Katie Jerram-Hunnable.
A donation was also made to the Injured Jockey’s Fund and St Nicolas Church by the district council for their support of the service.