HUNDREDS of people descended on the Bomford Hill Park Peace Memorial to say a final collective ‘thank you’ to Queen Elizabeth II at a vigil on Sunday evening.
It took place in front of the flag on the memorial, which had been placed there following The Queen’s death and was flying at half-mast.
A minute’s silence was held at 8pm, with phone lights and candles brightening the darkened sky in tribute to the monarch.
The vigil’s organisers Church Hill Big Local commissioned a huge banner to be put up in the area on September 10 which featured a picture of the Queen and simply said ‘Thank you Ma’am, for everything.’
A smaller version of the same banner was taken to the vigil.
Church Hill Big Local co-chair Stephen Betteridge, who went to Buckingham Palace to lay flowers for the Queen before rushing back for the vigil, said he was ‘astounded’ just how much she meant to the area.
“I spoke to as many people as possible of all ages and you could see how upset they were – they really wanted to come and pay their respects.
“Not many people dedicate their whole life in the service of others, she really was unique.”
In April, the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) graced Loxley Close with a performance as part of a special Big Jubilee lunch to thank Church Hill Big Local for its ‘remarkable commitment to celebrating the Jubilee and saying thanks to The Queen’.
Stephen added: “We were all so honoured and proud to have that special performance and we all felt we wanted to pay our own tribute.
“The Queen really brought Church Hill closer together, first in the euphoria of the Jubilee and now to collectively mourn her death.
“We wanted to give thanks to her extraordinary life and legacy.”
