A SMALL crowd of ten people gathered at Bromsgrove District Council House to watch the funeral of The Queen earlier today, writes Holly Clement.
The decision was taken to give members of the community who would otherwise be on their own but wanted to watch it with other people the chance to get together.
Although the attendance was small and there were tears, there was a heart-warming and united atmosphere as they watched, along with the rest of the nation.
Bromsgrove District Council Chairman, Coun Rod Laight, also attended.
There was no-one in sight in the town centre. Picture by Holly Clement.
En route to Parkside, Bromsgrove centre and the High Street were completely empty with similar scenes in cities and towns around the country being likened on social media to ‘Christmas Day without the presents’.
Bromsgrove High Street was deserted. Picture by Holly Clement.
In the Council House, Sarah, who lives in Bromsgrove, brought her two children to watch the funeral and to express their admiration to the ‘greatest monarch in history’ and a ‘great Christian woman’.
She said that the Queen had always been a big part of her and her children’s life.
During the singing of the National Anthem, the entire room stood and sang.
Barbara, 80, shed a few tears as she described how much she would miss the Queen.
“She has always been a stable influence on all of the country, she worked really hard to the end of her life, and she will be greatly missed.”
Frank, who works at the council, agreed to work the bank holiday in memory of the Queen.
Growing up as an orphan, Frank said: “After growing up and watching her every week, she became like a mother to me in a strange way.”
Frank described the day as a ‘nice goodbye’ but added he still could not believe it had happened.
Alongside the screening, the council’s book of condolences for The Queen was available to sign from 9am to 5pm, as it had been every day since the day after her passing.
Those who attended the screening in Bromsgrove today, shared a historic moment together, which will be remembered for a long time.
