BASINGSTOKE held a service of commemoration to pay tribute to the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The service at St Michael’s Church was free to attend and saw people come together to give thanks for the life of the Queen.

Civic leaders, councillors, members of the Armed Forces, emergency services, charitable organisations and clergy, together with residents from Basingstoke and beyond, gathered for a service of music, prayer and reflection.

Resident Delia Gilham was joined by Queen Mary’s College students Ffion Timmins and Arran Topham to share their fond memories of the Queen.

Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Lady Portal MBE DL (Louisa) performed a reading, while MP Maria Miller read the poem Phillip Came to Me Today by Joanne Boyle.

The Right Reverend David Williams, Bishop of Basingstoke, delivered a sermon sharing significant moments of the Queen’s life.

The congregation also heard a prayer by Toju Ogbe, a member and trustee of Basingstoke African Caribbean Catholic Association, before those who attended sung the National Anthem.

One of those who attended was Christopher Agland, who said: “I have a lot of love for the Queen, I remember when she became queen in 1952, and remember the funeral of George VI.

“We have always followed the news of the Queen over the 70 years.”

Another one of those who attended the service was Ginny Bailey said: “I came to show respect to the Queen. She was forever there - she was a constant in our lives.”

And Elizabeth Roles said: “I have had a lot of time for the Queen and she always had a lot time for everybody else. Anything that she was on we used to like watching.

“She has done so much for this country and the whole world.”

Aby Cripps, who attended the service with her daughters Scarlett, eight, and Sienna, five, said: “The children at school study and they get to know about the Queen, so I thought it was important to show our respects to the Queen.

“She has given her life to serve our nation.”