On Sunday evening, Newport Minster was the venue for a special commemorative service marking the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
For members of the public who were unable to be seated in the full Minster, the service was relayed to a screen outside in St. Thomas’ Square.
Guests included His Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant Mrs Susie Sheldon, His Majesty’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant Brigadier Maurice Sheen CBE, IW High Sheriff Mrs Kay Marriott and Councillor Claire Critchison Chair of the Isle of Wight Council. Also present were past Lord- Lieutenants, past High Sheriffs, Deputy Lieutenants, and various Councillors.
Representatives of various charities including Girlguiding IW and the Scout Association were also in the congregation together with representatives of the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services and other Isle of Wight organisations.
Reverend Allie Kerr, Acting Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight conducted the service, beginning by 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.”
During the service the transcript of the then Princess Elizabeth’s radio broadcast to the then British Empire on her 21st Birthday in 1947 was read by Claire Critchison.
Musical interludes were courtesy of the Isle of Wight Cantata Choir accompanied by organist Andrew Cooper. An Address by the Acting Archdeacon chronicled her late Majesty’s life of unrivalled public service spanning seven decades.
Finally, the service came to an end with the congregation singing the National Anthem remembering to sing King of course. A retiring collection in aid of Community Action Isle of Wight was undertaken by six Guides from 1st Carisbrooke (Princess Beatrice’s Own) Guide Unit.
