Many Churches across Herefordshire and South Shropshire, as well as the Cathedral in Hereford, have remained open for prayer and reflection following the announcement by Buckingham Palace last Thursday evening of the death of Her late Majesty, The Queen.
The Churches and Cathedral opened the official Books of Condolence on Friday morning, have witnessed hundreds of people flocking to sign them and take a quiet moment to reflect and remember Her late Majesty. The books will remain open until the funeral next Monday for people to sign in person. They will then be closed and will be gathered to form part of the official national archive.
The full list of churches where books of condolence are held in Herefordshire and South Shropshire can be found here
Last Friday, The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, Bishop of Hereford and The Vey Revd Sarah Brown, Dean of Hereford took time to sign the official book of condolence held at Hereford Cathedral. Speaking at the time Bishop Richard said: “The Cathedral and our many Churches have responded with quiet dignity at this time of national mourning. They are giving people a physical place to come and express their sorrow and find hope amidst the sadness.”
Many Churches are expecting to hold services of remembrance this coming Sunday and many will also toll their bells for up to an hour prior to the funeral service next Monday. This will be the final act of remembrance as the national period of mourning draws to a close the following day.
The death of the Sovereign is one of the rare occasions when fully muffled bells are sounded – More detailed guidance on bell ringing is available from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR).
Parishes with flagpoles are advised to return flags to half-mast until the day after the funeral of Her Late Majesty, Monday 19 September.
More detailed guidance is available from the Flag Institute.
General guidance on flags for churches can be found here.