THIS weekend Redditch residents are formally invited to attend a Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II.
The service will take place at 6pm on Sunday September 18 at St Stephen’s Church.
There will be readings and tributes from guests including Redditch Mayor Coun Ann Isherwood and the Leader of the Council Coun Matt Dormer.
There will be a civic party procession prior to the start of the service which will start from the Town Hall at 5.45pm. Please note that the procession itself is for invited guests only but visitors are welcome to watch.
Mayor of Redditch, Coun Ann Isherwood, said: “Residents from across the borough are grieving the loss of our beloved Queen. All are welcome to attend this service to share in our mourning but also to take the time to reflect on and celebrate the incredible life of Queen Elizabeth II.”
Worcester Cathedral will also be holding a wider service of thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II, on Sunday 18th September at 4pm.
Residents from across Worcestershire are welcome to attend.
A large screen will also be sited in Cathedral Square so that crowds may watch the service. It is expected that this service will also be live streamed on social media for those who cannot attend.
A National Moment of Reflection will take place at 8pm on Sunday 18 September, the night before the State Funeral, to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life and legacy.
The one-minute silence can be marked privately at home, with friends and family, out on doorsteps or the street with neighbours, or at locally arranged community events and vigils.
Redditch Borough Council will be recognising the recently declared Bank Holiday on Monday 19th September for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
All usual services, except essential and business critical services such as Lifeline and out of hours arrangements, Emergency Repairs and Maintenance, and Cremation Services, will be closed for the day to allow staff and customers to respectfully observe this day of reflection.
The Town Hall will remain open from 9am to 5pm as a venue for the signing of the book of condolence.
For any residents who do not wish to be alone or watch the State Funeral by themselves, there will also be a community screening in the Civic Suite at the Town Hall.
For those residents who cannot attend the Thanksgiving service, St Stephen’s Church have arranged for the service to be live streamed via YouTube here: https://youtu.be/dG3viF1_Bkw
