On Sunday Newport Minster was the venue for a special commemorative service marking the death of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
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. 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.
Meanwhile three adult members of Girlguiding IW were in London acting as volunteers aiding the thousands of the public who travelled to the city to view the late Queen’s Laying in State and funeral procession.
Girlguiding’s South- West England Region was given the opportunity to send 20 volunteers to London on Sunday 18 and Monday 19 September 2022 to help with the marshalling of the general public. There were 4 groups of stewards in 3 different locations (Victoria, Vauxhall and Embankment) and each location had a volunteer in charge of a group. Due to the numbers in the crowd, there were two shifts from 8am to 1.30pm and 1pm to 7pm on both days.
Those attending wore a purple volunteer tabard over their uniform together with a necker which showed the public that they were members of the Girlguiding volunteer groups.
Volunteers could either volunteer for one of the days or both days. Anyone who did volunteer must have been prepared to be outside whatever the weather for the full shift they have selected.
Isle of Wight members and others on volunteer duty:
