Muffled Bells Toll While Flowers and Messages for the Queen Left By Cross Erected on Village Green

Published on: 17 Sep, 2022
Updated on: 20 Sep, 2022

Pirbright Parish Council and St Michael and All Angels Church have erected a cross on Pirbright green “for residents to lay flowers, write messages, or just reflect on what the loss of Queen Elizabeth II means to them”.

Muffled bells will be tolled and services of Holy Communion and commemoration will be held at 10am for the next two Sundays.

A cross has been erected on Pirbright green “for residents to lay flowers, write messages, or just reflect on what the loss of Queen Elizabeth II means to them”.

Parish clerk Helen Myers said: “The cross is providing a focal point in the village for people to come to spend some time in reflection on the death of Her Majesty.

“Many of our older residents will be unable to travel to London to pay their last respects to the only monarch they have known and so the council felt that providing them with a place in their village was important.”

A statement from Pirbright Parish Council and St Michael and All Angels Church, reads: “The whole nation is suddenly having to face up to the indescribably sad news of the death of our beloved Queen. Because of her unique place in our hearts and lives, it somehow has the full force of a bereavement in our own family and we will wish to remember her in prayer and thanksgiving for being our rock and stay through the good times and the bad. Her radiant smile and words of wisdom have spoken to so many over 70 years.

“In Pirbright, St Michael’s and Pirbright Parish Council have talked together about how we can properly mark this end of such a magnificent era.

“Last Friday at noon, our bellringing team joined ringers throughout the land using fully muffled bells and Richard Hyde tolled the tenor bell 102 times in mourning.

“The fully muffled bells will be used on the next two Sundays. This is a very rare occurrence – reserved for the death of the Sovereign and the death of a diocesan bishop or a parish priest while still in post.

“There is now a book of condolence in the church so that anyone in our community can come to record their thanks and memories. The church is open daily from 10am to 4pm for this and for private prayer in the Lady Chapel.

“We have also created a focal point for grief with the erection of the cross on the ‘little green’ so that everyone can come to reflect and leave flowers and messages.

“Joy Underwood has created a beautiful commemorative wreath to decorate the cross.

“The service on Sunday, September 18 will be led by our archdeacon, the Ven Martin Breadmore. All are very welcome!

“God Save The King!”