Councils confirm proclamation ceremonies
By Connor Steel
COMMUNITIES from both local boroughs will come together this weekend to formally honour the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and accession of King Charles III; with residents from both Gosport and Fareham invited to attend separate town centre proclamation ceremonies scheduled for Sunday afternoon by council officials.
The ceremonies are a form of historic tradition following a Monarch’s death with King Charles III taking over the reign; with the national proclamation due to take place on Saturday morning at St James’ Palace. It is set to feature a series of prayer readings in front of both the Privy and Accession Councils including Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt, whilst gun salutes will be fired at major landmarks and from all UK naval ships.
Towns and Mayoral Boroughs are scheduled to read the official proclamation in tandem at promptly 2pm on September 11, just one hour after being read by the High Sheriff at Winchester Great Hall. This will be done publicly with Gosport and Fareham offering invitations in press releases published early on Friday afternoon.
Gosport: Town Hall
Gosport Borough Council have invited residents to come together outside the town hall (High Street) for the 2pm reading of the proclamation lasting approximately one hour; which is set to feature a variety of readings and prayers including the National Anthem alongside a speech by Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Jamie Hutchison.
Flags located opposite the Gosport Ferry terminal and town hall will follow tradition by flying at full-mast from the point of the national proclamation on Saturday until shortly after Gosport’s local proclamation on Sunday. They were lowered at half mast from Thursday and will remain so until 8am the day after the State Funeral.
Fareham: Performance Podium
Similarly neighbouring residents of Fareham have been invited to join Mayor of Fareham, Cllr Mike Ford and Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Mrs Joan Ferrer for the town’s own ceremony at 2pm. This is currently due to take place from the Performance Podium, found within the pedestrian area of West Street near Café Nero.
An order of service has been published by Fareham Borough Council here, which shows a range of readings and speeches from local Fareham figures including the Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant. The National Anthem will also be sung whilst Council Leader Cllr Seán Woodward, will call for 3-cheers for His Majesty The King.
Readers are encouraged to visit media sites such as BBC News, Sky News and ITV News for all developing updates, whilst the Globe will be publishing tributes from local figures and organisations in the coming days. Anybody who wishes to share their own tributes, personal memories or stories about Her Majesty can send these by email to either editorial@thegosportglobe.co.uk or steel.connor@live.co.uk to be published shortly.
PICTURED BY CONNOR STEEL: Flag flies half-mast at Gosport Town Hall early on Friday morning (09/09)
