Cotswold communities proclaim King Charles III and mourn Queen Elizabeth II

Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, communities around the country gathered to proclaim King Charles III on Sunday, September 11.

In Moreton, a ceremony took place at the War Memorial on High Street.

The proclamation was attended by Gloucestershire county councillor Mark Mackenzie-Charrington, Cotswold district councillor Clive Webster, Moreton town councillors, the reverend Henry Curran, and the Defence Fire Training Unit from the Fire Service College.

Chair of the Town Council, Eileen Viviani, read the proclamation.

Speaking ahead of the occasion, she said: “Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Nation has lost its most dedicated and long-serving Sovereign.

“We offer our deepest sympathy on behalf of the people of Moreton-in-Marsh.”

Proclamation ceremony in Moreton (Image: Proclamation ceremony in Moreton)

A ceremony was also held in Bourton, with chair of the parish council, councillor Bob Hadley, reading out the proclamation at 2:30pm outside the George Moore Community Centre.

Attendees also heard prayers from reverend Rowena King and a verse of the new national anthem, God Save the King followed by three cheers for the new King.

Councillor Hadley said: “The Parish Council would like to express its sincere condolences to members of the Royal Family on the death of our beloved Queen Elizabeth.

“She has been an important part of our country’s history and has been a guiding light for the whole country. Her passing will leave a gap in all our lives.”

Councillor Bob Hadley reads out the proclamation. Credit: Bourton Parish Council (Image: Councillor Bob Hadley reads out the proclamation. Credit: Bourton Parish Council)

In Chipping Norton the town’s mayor, councillor Sandra Coleman, read aloud the proclamation from the steps of the Town Hall.

The ceremony was attended by the local branch of The Royal British Legion, Chipping Norton Fire Service, representatives of St Mary’s Church, Deputy Lieutenant Martin Fiennes, town councillors and former Mayors.

Proclamation in Chipping Norton. Credit: Chipping Norton Town Council (Image: Proclamation in Chipping Norton. Credit: Chipping Norton Town Council)

Meanwhile, the Cotswold District Council held a proclamation service in Cirencester as chair, councillor Dilys Neil, proclaimed Charles the King outside the council offices.

She said: "I am sure many of you will feel, as I do, a great sense of personal loss and of bereavement with the passing of the Queen who has been such a constant for us throughout all our lives.

"One of the reasons that I'm proud to be British is that we have had, in our head of state, our constitutional monarch, such a shining example of public service.

"Not just a figurehead but a role model and wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if every head of state, every world leader, every political leader, had such a servant heart as Her Majesty The Queen had."