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Wednesday September 21 | 2022
Royal Town falls silent as nation says goodbye to Queen Elizabeth THE MEAD SCHOOL R OYA L TUNBRIDGE WELLS
DESERTED Tunbridge Wells town centre remained empty and silent as the Queen’s funeral took place
By Victoria Roberts and Madeleine Anderson
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TUNBRIDGE Wells fell silent on Monday as Her Majesty The Queen was finally laid to rest. The streets of the Royal Town were deserted as the clock struck 11am – the time when The Queen’s State funeral began.
ventured into town on Monday morning as the streets remained quiet. At St James’ Church in Ferndale, the bell was tolling to draw people in to the building where three screens had been set up to stream the royal funeral.
‘Banks and official buildings were closed as well as shops and theatres’
Quiet Banks and official buildings, including The Amelia, were closed, as normal for a bank holiday, but unusually, shops and restaurants were also shut, as were Trinity Theatre and the Assembly Hall. Buses were running but few people had
Vicar The Rev. Judi Hammill said the church had decided to open to allow people to come in and spend the service together. “We were open anyway – we are open every day,” she said. The congregation also gathered
afterwards, as with a normal funeral, to share memories. The church has also opened a book of memories. Residents from Tunbridge Wells were among the estimated 250,000 people who queued to see The Queen lying in state over the last few days.
Funeral People braved a 12-hour wait on the banks of the Thames to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s coffin as she lay in state in Westminster Hall ahead of her funeral on Monday. Among the mourners was Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes.
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It is with deep sadness we have learned of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time, but also with all of those who cherished and adored Her Majesty The Queen.