People of Tetbury support ‘one of their own’
FLOWERS were laid at Highgrove House as the town of Tetbury mourned the Queen and sent support to one of their own, King Charles III.
Bouquets started being laid outside the private entrance used by the new monarch soon after Buckingham Palace announced the death of his beloved mother.
And as King Charles was greeted by kisses and shouts of ‘God Save the King’ by crowds massing at Buckingham Palace, the people of Tetbury were were quietly making it clear they are here to support him when he finally gets the chance to return home to the country estate that has been his rural retreat for four decades.
Mourners parked up and made the journey on foot along a main road to lay flowers at the large metal gates in front of the house.
They ranged from professional bouquets to a washed-out Waitrose pickle jar containing a hand tied posy of colourful dahlias from somebody’s garden, but all were heartfelt.
A few miles down the road, people started to gravitate towards the mag- nificent St Mary the Virgin and St Mary Magdalen church in the town centre.
The church opened a book of condo- lences and a prayer wall where people could express their emotions after the death of a woman who has reigned over us for 70 years.
But they also wanted to show their sympathy for her family who live in their midst.
King Charles calls Tetbury home and his sister Princess Anne and her family only live a few miles away at Gatcombe Park. Anne’s family recently held a family wedding at this very church, which is also frequented by Charles and his Queen Consort, Camilla.
As the world focussed on the crowds at Buckingham Palace, mourners sat quietly in the pews, reflecting. Many said they were not royalists but loved the Queen and felt a loyal tug to Charles who will take over the monarchy from his mother.
Curate the Rev Steve Bullock was welcoming people at the door all day long. Many were clearly tearful as they queued to sign the book of condolence.
“Some people are shaken up and deeply moved so we opened up so they would have a space to process the news,” he said. “People seem deeply saddened and troubled by it and of course there is this local connection to the Royal family, so people here have a connection.”
Jo Roberts choked back tears as she signed the book with a message to the Queen and said: “She’s been such a constant in our lives and has been like a mother and grandmother to us all. I’m sure Charles will do a good job too but for now I want to think about the Queen.”
Noel Mckernon was visiting Tetbury from New Zealand when the news broke. He said his friend back home had emailed to say how he had burst into tears while driving when he heard about the death of the Queen thousands of miles away.
“She was a very spiritual woman who lived a life of self sacrifice and service for the people of the Commonwealth,” said the devout Christian, explaining why that might be.
A devastated Wendy Smith laid the Queen’s favourite yellow roses outside the church.
She lives locally and has met Charles and Camilla during visits to the local school and church in Tetbury. She said: “I am so upset, it feels like we have lost part of the family.”
Andrea Mohammed felt compelled to travel from Cardiff to hear the bells toll 96 times at noon because she had recently lost her father to Covid. He loved Tetbury and one of her favourite memories is hearing the same bells ring when Prince William was born.
Mourners packed the churchyard and sat on benches or stood in silence as the bells tolled for around an hour in tribute to the Queen.
The King’s own shop in the town, which sends Duchy wares, was not only closed but the windows were covered up. Work had stopped on the barns he is converting into work units on the estate.
Although the town did not come to a standstill, there was a palpable air that life had changed.
Businesses such as Hobbs House Bakery, run by the TV baking brothers, had been expecting a busy day because the Tour of Britain was due to pass through the town on Friday afternoon. It was cancelled.
“People are going about their businesses as usual but it’s very flat and subdued,” said Sarah Lister who works in the bakery.
“She’s a bit more important than a bike ride,” said cyclist Craig Dalby, who had decided to come with Alastair Wishard anyway because they had already booked time off work.
The Sentiments flower shop was doing brisk business and florist Jodie Smith said customers were exchanging stories about meeting the Royal family, including one woman whose brother had sung at the Coronation.
It may not be the centre of national mourning but it seems that this town, where Prince William and Prince Harry grew up, home to King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, has become a beacon for people who know the Royal family as people.
And they are clearly ready to welcome their King back ‘home.’ “God Save The King” said a string of blackboards outside the Mayfair and Grant hairdressers on the High Street, in clear message of support for Tetbury’s most famous son.
I am so upset, it feels like we have lost part of the family
Wendy Smith