Commemorating Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The death of Queen Elizabeth II was marked in a number of ways across the churches of the Western Dales. Here are some of the important ways that we honoured the Queen’s memory and paid our respects.
Book of Condolence
A Book of Condolence was available in many of our churches, throughout the period of national mourning. Many locals and visitors came to St Andrew’s Sedbergh to leave tributes and memories of our beloved Queen. Our churches provided quiet spaces for reflection and prayer. A hard-working team of volunteers looked after the book on a rota basis, giving short prayers once an hour from the lectern.
The Proclamation of the King
At 5pm on the evening of Sunday, 11 September 2022, Kevin Lancaster the chair of Sedbergh Parish Council made the official proclamation of the king for our local area, in St Andrew’s Sedbergh churchyard. Many people came along to witness this historic moment, and we shared tea and coffee afterwards before gathering for a service of prayer and thanksgiving at 6pm.
All-Age Service of Thanksgiving
Our Pioneer Minister Revd Becca Gilbert organised an engaging All-Age service at 3.30pm on the afternoon of Sunday, 18 September. This was well-attended, with around thirty children and many more adults. This provided a sensitive way especially for children to give thanks for our Queen, and think about her legacy. Ben Maunder gave a talk on the importance of our Queen being a servant leader, just as Jesus Christ is our servant king. Becca led the response which involved building a cairn as a way of reflecting on our Queen’s character and leadership. Roger Bush played organ and piano for the service.
Community Tea
The Queen’s death affected everyone in different ways, and we felt it was important to provide a space for people to gather and talk about all she meant to the community in a relaxed environment. There was an amazing spread of sandwiches and cakes at the People’s Hall in Sedbergh which was enjoyed by all.
Commemoration Service for The Queen
On the evening of Sunday, 18 September (the eve of the Queen’s State Funeral), we welcomed over two hundred people to our local commemoration service at St Andrew’s Sedbergh, to give thanks for the life of the Queen, comfort one another in our grief, and commend Elizabeth to Almighty God.
Sedbergh Town Band played two hymns and the National Anthem, and members of St Andrew’s Choir, Cornerstone Community Church Choir, Dentdale Choir, and Sedbergh School Choral Society came together to sing some moving anthems. John Seymour conducted and Deryck Cox played the organ.
Revd Andy Burgess officiated and preached, Revd Becca Gilbert gave the reading, and Revd’s Christine Brown, David Crouchley, Lindsay Gray, and Paul Sweeting offer prayers from across the United Kingdom. Dorcas Thomas, a member of our local Roman Catholic community, read a poem by Robert Burns. Tom Skelhorne played a lament on the bagpipes during the commendation.
Royal British Legion (Sedbergh & District Branch) and 1st Sedbergh Scouts processed in with Standards.
Representatives from organisations across the Western Dales gave moving tributes to the ways in which the Queen has inspired them over the years:
1st Sedbergh Scout Group
Bill Mawdsley, Scout Leader
Dent CE Primary School
Siena Aisbitt-Burgess, Pupil
Howgill Harriers
Rachael Mellor
The Rawthey Project
Grace Capstick
Royal British Legion, Sedbergh
Myles Ripley
Sedbergh Parish Council
Kevin Lancaster, Chairman
Sedbergh Primary School
Victoria Hudson, Headteacher
Jackson Brown, Pupil
Sedbergh School
Dan Harrison, Headmaster
Sedbergh Swimming Club
Rachael Mellor
Sedbergh Young Farmers Club
John Woof, Chairman
Settlebeck School
Sarah Campbell, Headteacher
South Lakeland District Council
Suzie Pye, Councillor
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the service.