In Wareham and Corfe Castle, events took place to mark the accession of King Charles III, while mourning for the Queen continued.
On Saturday 10th September 2022, across Purbeck, church bells rang out and flags were raised again for one day only after the formal proclamation of King Charles at an ancient ceremony at St James’s Palace in London.
St Mary’s Church in Wareham welcomed a steady stream of visitors
Flags raised again as Charles proclaimed King
Across Purbeck, flowers were laid outside churches and books of condolences were opened to sign.
Many shops, homes and business displayed floral and photographic tributes to the Queen, who died on Thursday 8th September 2022.
Councillors and staff of Wareham Town Council laid flowers at the town’s war memorial
“Many people in Wareham want to pay their respects”
In Wareham, the town’s mayor Malcolm Russell paid tribute to the Queen. He said:
“It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was such an influential monarch and will be greatly missed.
“I am sure many people in Wareham will want to pay their respects and therefore books of condolence have been placed in the Priory Church of Lady St Mary and the library, for those who wish to express their condolences at this very difficult time.
“Wareham Town Council would like to send its deepest sympathies to the Royal Family at this extremely sad time.”
The accession proclamation of King Charles III will be read out by the mayor at Wareham Town Hall at 3 pm on Sunday 11th September 2022.
The book of condolences at St Mary’s Church in Wareham
Book of condolences lit by September sunshine
A steady queue of people lined up at the Priory Church of Lady St Mary in Wareham to sign the book of condolences in front of the altar, lit by September sunshine pouring through the stained glass windows.
Under Church of England guidelines, bells could be rung louder for one day only during the period of mourning in celebration of the accession.
Bells will then revert to being rung muffled until the day of the Queen’s state funeral, now confirmed as Monday 19th September 2022.
Wareham shops set up displays of flowers and photographs in remembrance of the Queen
“Charles will make a wonderful King”
Wareham resident Clare Turner said:
“Even while we are remembering the Queen, grieving her death and celebrating her life, it is good to have a moment of hope for the future of the Monarchy.
“I am sure that Charles will make a wonderful King and that the legacy of his mother will live on in our hearts and throughout the United Kingdom. God save the King!”
Flags and floral displays are everywhere in Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle decked with flowers, flags and photos
In Corfe Castle, shops and homes were decked out in flags, flowers and photographs paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth, while the parish church of St Edwards, King & Martyr, had its entrance swathed in black tulle net and flowers laid on the banks.
The village was still a magnet for crowds of people despite the cancellation of the Dorset stage of the Tour of Britain which would have passed by Corfe Castle. It was cancelled out of respect for the Queen following her death.
Visitors to the Corfe Castle Town Hall signed the book of condolences
A number of residents opted for floral wreaths
Floral wreaths
At the nearby Corfe Castle Town Hall, a book of condolences was opened for people to sign, attracting many visitors through the doors.
A number of homes in the village had opted for a floral wreath on their doors as a mark of respect.
The bells rang out and flags were raised again for the day at St Edward’s Church at Corfe Castle
Flowers outside St Edward’s Church in Corfe Castle
